Budget 2025-26: Scholarships for Ebtedayee students and increased MPO for madrasas

In a significant move to support madrasa education, the interim government has proposed scholarships for Ebtedayee students and increased Monthly Payment Order (MPO) enrolment for madrasas in the 2025-26 fiscal year budget. 

This addresses the long-standing disparity where government primary school students receive scholarships and stipends, but Ebtedayi students have been overlooked.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed announced these initiatives during his budget speech for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 3:00pm, broadcast on Bangladesh Television due to the non-functioning parliament.

Key allocations

Scholarships and MPO Enrolment: A proposed allocation of Tk 728 crore for:

Providing scholarships to Ebtedayee students.

Expanding MPO enrolment for new madrasas.

Infrastructure development:

Completion of 1,135 madrasa buildings to enhance educational facilities.

Ongoing construction of 513 multi-storey madrasa buildings.

Establishment of multimedia classrooms in 493 madrasas.

Implications

These measures aim to bridge the gap in educational support for Ebtedayee students and strengthen madrasa education through financial and infrastructural investments. The scholarships will provide financial relief to students, while the MPO enrolment and infrastructure developments will improve the quality and accessibility of madrasa education.