Education Minister Dr A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Sunday informed Parliament that five projects are currently being implemented under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to expand and improve primary education across the country.
He also said that 13 additional projects, including the Fifth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5), have been included in the government’s development pipeline.
The minister disclosed this while responding to a starred question from opposition lawmaker Md Mahbubur Rahman (Belal) of Rangpur-3 in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Dr Milon said the ongoing projects include the Fourth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-4), which is being implemented from July 2018 to June 2026, and the Demand-Based Government Primary School Development Project (Phase-1), underway from July 2016 and scheduled to continue until June 2026.
He said another major initiative, the Government Primary School Establishment, Infrastructure Development and Beautification Project in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area and Purbachal, is being implemented from January 2020 to June 2027.
The minister further said that the Pre-Primary and Primary Education Improvement Project in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban and Bhasan Char of Noakhali is being carried out from July 2024 to June 2027 to enhance educational opportunities in those areas.
In addition, the School Feeding Programme in Government Primary Schools in 150 upazilas is being implemented from January 2025 to December 2027 with the aim of improving students’ nutrition and learning outcomes.
Dr Milon said the government is also continuing several mass education initiatives, including the Effective Literacy and Practical Skills Training (Pre-Vocational Level) Course and the Alternative Learning Opportunity for Out-of-School Children (ALO) programme.
According to the minister, these programmes are making significant contributions to improving the quality of primary education, strengthening educational infrastructure and bringing dropout and out-of-school children back into the education system.
He expressed hope that the ongoing and planned projects would further support the government’s efforts to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for all children across the country.