Year
2026
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
Education
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
This pledge was articulated in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th national election. The manifesto states that “Adequate opportunities will be ensured for students with physical, mental, and emotional special needs to receive appropriate education through trained teachers, specialised education arrangements, and necessary learning materials.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
According to a media report, on 13 May 2026, the Prime Minister directed the authorities to review disability schools and ensure access to education for persons with disabilities.
On 8 June, the Cabinet Division instructed the Education Secretary to take measures to make education completely free for poor students with disabilities within one year and to submit monthly progress reports. Subsequently, the FY2026–27 Budget Speech emphasised commitments on inclusive education for children with disabilities and special needs, supported by specialised assistive technology and educational materials.
On 8 June, the Cabinet Division instructed the Education Secretary to take measures to make education completely free for poor students with disabilities within one year and to submit monthly progress reports. Subsequently, the FY2026–27 Budget Speech emphasised commitments on inclusive education for children with disabilities and special needs, supported by specialised assistive technology and educational materials.
Observation
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While several measures address disability-inclusive education, the available information does not show a coordinated programme covering all elements of the manifesto pledge. The FY2026–27 Budget Speech provides broader policy support by identifying the development of trained and skilled teachers as an education-sector priority and providing for regular training and retraining of teachers. Alongside this, the budget proposed expanding the pre-existing Disability Education Stipend Programme from 81,000 to 100,000 students and increasing monthly stipend rates to Tk 1,000 at the primary level, Tk 1,100 at the secondary level, Tk 1,200 at the higher-secondary level and Tk 1,400 at the tertiary level. Besides, on 13 May 2026, plans were announced to launch the “Shishu Swarga” project in 10 upazilas of 10 districts to ensure healthcare and rehabilitation services for children with special needs, which may also serve as a catalyst for expanding education opportunities for these children. On 2 July 2026, the State Minister of Health and Family Welfare said that the government plans to expand special training for teachers. The government also plans to make educational institutions more disability-friendly by adding ramps, lifts and accessible toilets. By 20 August 2026, the government reported further work on reorganising specialised schools, improving accessibility in mainstream schools, and developing curriculum support, Braille and sign language, while the “Shishu Swarga” project was being expanded to 22 upazilas.