Budget 2025-26: Primary education allocation reduced by Tk 3,416cr

The proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year has reduced the allocation for the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education by 3,416 crore taka compared to the 2024-25 fiscal year, raising concerns among sector stakeholders.
Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed presented the 2025-26 fiscal year budget of 7,89,999 crore taka on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 3:00pm, broadcast on Bangladesh Television due to the non-functioning parliament.
Primary education allocation
Salehuddin proposed Tk 35,403 crore for the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education for FY2025-26.
In 2024-25 Fiscal Year, proposed allocation was Tk 38,819 crore which was revised to Tk 35,123 crore.
The 2025-26 allocation is Tk 3,416 crore less than the 2024-25 proposed budget and Tk 280 crore more than the 2024-25 revised budget.
Overall education sector
Total Education Sector Allocation (2025-26): Tk 95,645 crore, an increase of Tk 935 crore compared to the 2024-25 proposed budget of Tk 94,710 crore.
Reason for Shift: Ministry of Finance and Education officials noted that increased enrolment in madrasas, a previously neglected sector, has led to higher allocations for madrasa education, partially offsetting the reduction in primary education funding.
Primary education enrolment
2023 Primary School Census: 19,713,685 students enrolled in primary education (pre-primary to fifth grade).
2022 Enrolment: 25,46,091 students, indicating a significant discrepancy or potential data error in the reported figures, which may require clarification.
Stakeholders in the primary and mass education sector have expressed disappointment over the reduced allocation, citing potential impacts on educational quality and access, especially given the large student population at the primary level.