The government expects to allocate nearly 2% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to the education sector in the upcoming national budget, with a long-term goal of raising the allocation to 5% of GDP, Education, Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education, the minister said a proposal has been submitted for increasing education spending in the next fiscal year, which, if approved, would provide an additional Tk 23,000 crore for implementing various development programmes in the sector.

He said the government has already discussed the issue of increasing education expenditure with the Prime Minister, who assured support for gradually expanding the allocation.

The minister said the additional funding would be used to strengthen educational infrastructure and modernise learning facilities across primary, secondary, technical and madrasa education institutions.

As part of the initiative, the government is considering a major project to distribute around 1.4 million tablet devices to students. The programme will be implemented in phases subject to the availability of funds.

Milon said developing a skilled workforce and establishing a modern education system remain among the government’s key priorities. He added that a review of the national curriculum began soon after the current administration assumed office and a draft of proposed reforms has already been prepared following consultations with education experts.

However, he noted that a comprehensive overhaul of the curriculum cannot be completed within three to four months. As a result, a revised curriculum is expected to be introduced in 2027, while broader reforms are planned from 2028.

The minister said sports education will be reintroduced into the curriculum, while cultural studies will be introduced from the primary level. In addition, technical and vocational education will be incorporated from Grade Six, alongside two new subjects.

Milon also emphasised the importance of third-language education, saying plans are underway to include new content within the existing curriculum framework. He added that teacher training and classroom teaching methods would also be updated to support the reforms.

Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobi Hajjaj, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, Technical and Madrasa Education Division Secretary Md Daud Mia, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, and Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi were present at the press conference.