Year
2026
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
Education
Source of Reform Proposals
Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
This pledge was included in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th National Election, committing that "BNP plans to provide “free school uniforms” to students”.
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
On 13 April 2026, the State Minister for Primary and Mass Education informed the press that preparatory work had begun to introduce free uniforms to primary school students across the country. The initiative would involve annual distribution of uniforms, with nationwide coverage planned to be achieved in phases during the tenure of the current government.
According to a report on 22 April 2026, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and the Local Government Division held a meeting to initiate a pilot programme to provide school uniforms to primary-level students. It was decided that students of two primary schools in each upazila will receive bags made of jute under a pilot programme.
According to a report on 22 April 2026, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and the Local Government Division held a meeting to initiate a pilot programme to provide school uniforms to primary-level students. It was decided that students of two primary schools in each upazila will receive bags made of jute under a pilot programme.
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
On 29 April 2026, the education minister announced that the distribution of free uniforms, shoes and bags would begin from July 2026. It was also mentioned that the initial pilot phase was planned to cover 25 upazilas or thanas across eight divisions, around 3,522 government primary schools.
On 8 June 2026 during a press conference, it was informed that the first phase would target at least 100,000 students, with subsequent phases expected to cover more than 350,000 students through July, August, September and October. More than 25,000 primary schools were included in the pilot plan. The Ministry of Textiles and Jute would provide 500,000 waterproof, environment-friendly jute school bags, while the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry would provide logistical and administrative support for delivery to schools in upazilas and remote areas. As part of the initiative, on 10 August 2026, BTMA donated 100,000 school uniforms for first-grade students.
On 8 June 2026 during a press conference, it was informed that the first phase would target at least 100,000 students, with subsequent phases expected to cover more than 350,000 students through July, August, September and October. More than 25,000 primary schools were included in the pilot plan. The Ministry of Textiles and Jute would provide 500,000 waterproof, environment-friendly jute school bags, while the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry would provide logistical and administrative support for delivery to schools in upazilas and remote areas. As part of the initiative, on 10 August 2026, BTMA donated 100,000 school uniforms for first-grade students.
Observation
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According to the government’s 180-day progress report, national committees and subcommittees have been formed, school selection, student measurements and durable dress designs have been completed, and 105,000 sets of school dresses and 25,000 pairs of shoes have been collected and stored in the government’s central warehouse. However, based on secondary data analysis, no government circular or gazette regarding the distribution of free school uniforms has been identified in the public domain. It may be noted that on 16 August 2026, reportedly on a limited scale, free school uniforms, shoes and jute bags were distributed to 315 students in eight primary schools in Saltha upazila of Faridpur.
At the secondary level, a similar initiative is also under consideration. On 7 July 2026, officials from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) proposed the “Combined Students' Facilities Programme in Secondary Education” under the Secondary Education Development Programme (SEDP). Under the proposed programme, each student would receive two sets of school uniforms annually, valued at Tk 4,000, along with one pair of shoes and socks worth Tk 1,500. The estimated five-year allocation is Tk 4.16 billion (Tk 416.32 crore) for uniforms and Tk 1.56 billion (Tk 156.12 crore) for shoes and socks.