Govt plans free education for female students up to honors: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government plans to make education free for female students up to the honors level.

He made the announcement while responding to a supplementary question from MP Helen Jerin Khan during the 21st sitting of the second session and first budget session of the 13th National Parliament.

Referring to the education policy introduced under the government of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Tarique said: "The Khaleda Zia government made education free for girls up to the higher secondary level. We now want to make education free for female students up to the degree or honors level."

He said the BNP government has introduced the Family Card program to promote women's economic empowerment alongside expanding access to education.

Addressing female students in the visitors' gallery, the prime minister said: "Many female students are watching today's parliamentary proceedings from the gallery. We will make education free up to the honors level, and those who achieve outstanding academic results will receive scholarships."

Responding to a supplementary question from reserved-seat MP Shammi Akter, Tarique said the government also plans to provide school uniforms and school bags to students in Classes 1 through 5.

"I want to assure all members of parliament that we will gradually implement the program in all government primary schools across the country. There are about 65,000 government primary schools with around 12 million students. We will gradually reach every child from Class 1 to Class 5," he said.