Budget 2025-26: Education allocation up by only Tk934 crore

In the proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the education sector has seen a modest increase of just Tk934 crore. This brings the total proposed allocation to Tk95,644 crore. In comparison, the original allocation for the current fiscal year was Tk94,710 crore, but it was later slashed to Tk84,309 crore in the revised budget.

Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed shared this information during his budget speech for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Monday. The speech is being aired live on Bangladesh Television.

The finance adviser of the interim government has proposed a total budget of Tk7.90 lakh crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Out of this, Tk5.60 lakh crore has been allocated for operating and other expenses, while Tk2.30 lakh crore is earmarked for the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

In the proposed budget, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has been allocated Tk35,403 crore. In the current fiscal year, the ministry was originally allotted Tk38,819 crore, but this amount was later cut to Tk35,123 crore in the revised budget.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education has been allocated Tk47,563 crore. In the current fiscal year, this division received Tk44,108 crore, but the amount was later revised down to Tk39,233 crore.

Meanwhile, the Technical and Madrasa Education Division of the same ministry has been allocated Tk12,678 crore for the next fiscal year. It was originally given Tk11,783 crore in the current fiscal year, which was later reduced to Tk9,953 crore in the revised budget.

In his speech, the finance adviser said, “We have updated the curriculum in all private universities based on international standards of outcome-based education to modernize higher education and make it globally competitive.”

“We are taking steps to enhance the human resources of teachers at all levels, including increasing bonuses and gratuity benefits for MPO-listed teachers,” he added.