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 (BNP) election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th national election. The manifesto articulated that “Public Spending on education will be gradually increased to five per cent of GDP. This funding will not be limited to constructing buildings; it will focus on improving educational quality, especially at the primary level, by strengthening teachers’ teaching standards and skills through proper training. Emphasis will also be placed on technology and the development of inclusive learning materials. In line with the economic growth, budget allocation for education will be increased gradually in the future.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
On 4 June, 2026, the Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister (Please check) announced that the share of education in GDP in the FY2026–27 national budget would be increased to 2 per cent. The Minister also noted that the ministry had sought an allocation equivalent to 3.5 per cent of GDP, while the Prime Minister had reassured that the education sector allocation would be gradually increased to 5 per cent of GDP.
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
FY2026–27 national budget, Tk 1,22,495 crore was allocated to the education sector, equivalent to 13.06 per cent of the total budget and 1.79 per cent of GDP. The sector also received a 15.41 per cent allocation in the Annual Development Programme (ADP).
Operationalisation
Last Update: 10-Sep-26
On 30 June 2026, the Appropriation Act for FY2026–27 was passed, formally authorising government expenditure for the fiscal year. Under the Act, Tk 1,22,496 crore was allocated for the education sector.
Observation
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The BNP pledge to gradually raise public spending on education to 5 per cent of GDP is broadly in line with international benchmarks, including UNESCO’s recommendation of 4–6 per cent of GDP and 15–20 per cent of total government expenditure. The FY2026–27 education budget reflects progress in this direction, with the share of education spending increasing from 1.56 per cent of GDP in FY2025–26 to 1.79 per cent in FY2026–27. However, 56.44 per cent of the total education budget is provided as block allocation, making the effective use of these resources particularly important. Over the past two decades, utilisation of the education budget averaged above 90 per cent, while the utilisation rate in FY2024–25 fell to around 75 per cent. Continued increases in allocation, alongside stronger utilisation, will therefore be important for progressing towards the pledge.
Resources