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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Culture & Society

Two Decades of Neglect Crippled Bangladesh's Education System, Says State Minister

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Bangladesh's State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, Bobby Hajjaj, stated that two decades of neglect have severely impacted the country's education system.
  • He noted that Bangladesh's intermediate (HSC) level is often compared to Singapore's sixth grade, highlighting a significant gap in quality.
  • The government is initiating reforms in curriculum, teacher quality, infrastructure, and administration, increasing the education budget's share of GDP from 1.3-1.4% to 2%, with a goal of reaching 5%.

Bangladesh's education sector has suffered from two decades of neglect, leaving its intermediate level comparable to sixth grade in Singapore, according to State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj. He made these remarks during a parliamentary discussion on the supplementary budget for the fiscal year 2025-26.

Two decades of neglect have left Bangladesh’s education system in such a dire state that the country’s intermediate level (HSC) is often compared to class six of Singapore.

— Bobby HajjajDescribing the current state of Bangladesh's education system.

Hajjaj criticized the past 20 years of mismanagement, pointing to the evident chaos in primary and mass education, which has resulted in numerous students failing university entrance exams. "In Singapore, our HSC level is considered equivalent to their class 6," he stated, underscoring the critical state of the educational system.

In Singapore, our HSC level is considered equivalent to their class 6.

— Bobby HajjajIllustrating the quality gap in higher secondary education.

To address this crisis, the government, under the prime minister's directives, has launched reforms targeting curriculum, teacher quality, infrastructure, and administration. The budget allocation for education has seen a significant increase, rising from 1.3-1.4 percent of GDP to 2 percent, with a long-term goal of reaching 5 percent. Hajjaj expressed determination to make Bangladesh's education system globally competitive.

As part of this long-term national investment, the largest allocation has now been made for the education sector, with primary and mass education prioritised for a complete overhaul.

— Bobby HajjajExplaining the increased budget allocation for education.

The minister also highlighted the introduction of sports and cultural education for grades four and five as part of the overhaul. He criticized opposition members for what he termed negative propaganda and "toxic mindset," accusing them of campaigning against cultural curricula and making indecent remarks. Hajjaj urged constructive criticism from the opposition but stressed that it should not obstruct the nation's core educational goals.

From the same toxic mindset that once produced indecent remarks against women MPs, they now claim cultural education will lead children astray.

— Bobby HajjajCriticizing opposition's negative campaign against cultural education.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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