Primary edn to be extended up to Class VIII: State Minister 

Primary education will be extended up to Class VIII in phases as part of a broader reform plan aimed at restructuring the country's basic education system, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said.

He made the remarks at a programme organised by the Mass Literacy Campaign on budget allocation for the education sector at the Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon-Dhaka, on Wednesday. 

Bobby Hajjaj said the government's objective is to ensure free education for children aged between four and 13. He noted that primary education is currently free up to Class V and stated that the scope would be expanded gradually.

He said, "I want to increase the primary grade and take it up to the eighth grade. I will do this in stages."

The state minister said a new curriculum will be introduced at the primary level, under which coaching based learning and guidebooks will be discontinued. He added the revised curriculum will focus on learning through play and storytelling methods.