A new curriculum will be introduced in primary and secondary schools from 2028, while four new textbooks will be added to Classes IV and VI from the 2027 academic year.
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin disclosed the plans at a press conference organised at the Secretariat on the government’s three-month activities.
Milon stresses improved technical education system
Under the initiative, two new subjects – Sports and Culture – will be introduced in Class IV, while Technical and Vocational Education, and Learning with Happiness will be added to the curriculum for Class VI students next year.
Responding to a question on whether the government is formulating a completely new curriculum or revising the existing one, Mahdi Amin said both curriculum reforms and the introduction of new subjects are being considered.
He said the education sector had suffered significant setbacks over the past 16 years and it will take time to rebuild it.
“There are areas within the current curriculum that require additions, omissions and revisions. At the same time, we are introducing new subjects in line with our vision of reshaping the education system,” the adviser said.
He said Sports and Culture will be introduced as separate compulsory subjects from Class IV, while Technical and Vocational Education, and Learning with Happiness will be mandatory from Class VI.
Mahdi Amin said the Learning with Happiness course will focus on values, principles and character-building to help develop responsible citizens. The programme will also include teachers’ guides and training modules to support classroom instruction.
He added that greater emphasis will be placed on learning a third language through an expanded component within the existing curriculum framework.
“Four new subjects are being introduced and a major new chapter on third-language learning will be added. Alongside these, necessary revisions and improvements to the existing curriculum will continue through consultation with education experts and professionals,” the adviser said.
Asked whether the changes will take effect next year, Minister Milon said a complete curriculum overhaul could not be accomplished within three months.
“We are introducing the new subjects in Classes IV and VI from 2027 after making the necessary revisions and ensuring the process is realistic and implementable,” he said.
“The broader curriculum reform that many expect is already underway and will be visible from 2028. However, the current revision process is progressing well and four new textbooks are being introduced,” the minister added.
Replying to a question regarding a recent report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) alleging that vice-chancellors were appointed to universities on political considerations, he declined to comment. “If you want to know about the TIB report, ask TIB. I am not willing to respond to that,” he said.
“TIB will do its work and I will do mine. This is a newly elected government and it knows how to manage the university education system. That is entirely our matter. It is too early for such reports when we have only just begun our journey,” Milon added.