State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Sunday said the proposed national budget for FY2026-27 is designed to build future Bangladesh, with one of the highest-ever allocations earmarked for the education sector to strengthen human resources and ensure sustainable national development.
Taking part in the general discussion on the Supplementary Budget for FY2025-26 in Parliament, he said the government considers education the most effective and impactful sector for investment.
“That is why the highest priority has been given to the education sector in the national budget,” he said.
The state minister said public expenditure on education remained between 1.3 and 1.4 percent of the country’s GDP in previous years.
The current budget, however, has increased the allocation to 2 percent of GDP, with a long-term target of raising it to 5 percent.
Describing primary education as the foundation of a nation, Bobby Hajjaj said shortcomings at the primary level inevitably affect higher education and employment prospects in later stages of life.
He said the government is focusing on curriculum development, teacher training, quality improvement and administrative reforms to strengthen primary education across the country.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s directives, he said a comprehensive reform programme has already been launched to make primary education more modern, practical and internationally competitive.
The state minister said the government’s vision goes beyond conventional textbook-based learning and aims to nurture creativity, critical thinking and personality development among students.
As part of that effort, greater emphasis is being placed on sports, cultural activities and the arts in primary schools, he said.
Bobby Hajjaj said initiatives have already been taken to expand sporting opportunities for students in grades four and five.
Alongside football and cricket, basketball is also being introduced in schools, he added.
He said cultural education, including performing arts, expressive arts and fine arts, is also being integrated into primary education to support the holistic development of children.
“There is no alternative to sports and cultural education in building a modern, humane and creative generation,” he said, urging constructive discussions instead of negative criticism regarding such initiatives.
The state minister further said the proposed budget places importance on enhancing people’s capabilities, expanding the economy’s supply-side capacity, promoting the creative economy and modernising industries and factories.
“The government believes that investment in people is the greatest investment a nation can make. An educated, skilled and creative population is the principal driving force behind sustainable national development,” he added.
Expressing optimism about the future, the state minister said continued investments in education, sports and culture would help transform Bangladesh into a knowledge-based, skilled and modern nation over the next two decades.
“Criticism is natural in a democracy, but everyone must work together to achieve the larger national goal of development and prosperity,” he said.