Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon on Monday said a new curriculum for primary and secondary education will be introduced from 2028, while four new textbooks will be added to Classes Four and Six from the next academic year as part of an ongoing curriculum refinement process.
He came up with this announcement at a press conference held at the Secretariat, outlining the government's next three month programme.
Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin said the government would introduce ‘Sports and Culture’ textbooks in Class Four, while Technical and Vocational Education and Learning with Happiness would be added as compulsory subjects in Class Six.
Explaining the rationale behind the changes, Amin said, “There is a part within the curriculum where necessary additions, subtractions and refinements have to be made. Along with this, we are adding some new subjects in line with how we want to reorganise the education system.”
He said the Learning with Happiness course would focus on values, citizenship and classroom guidance for teachers. The government is also placing renewed emphasis on third language learning, with an expanded chapter to be incorporated into the existing curriculum framework.
Referring to broader education reforms, Amin criticised the previous administration, saying, “During the 16 years of fascism, the state structure of Bangladesh was completely shattered. Education was in one of the most terrible conditions.” He added that while all accumulated problems could not be resolved immediately, the government was committed to making necessary changes as quickly as possible.
Clarifying the timeline, Minister Milon said, “It is not possible to change the curriculum in three months.” He added that the new books would be introduced in 2027 following refinement and piloting, while the comprehensive curriculum overhaul would take effect in 2028.
Responding to a question regarding a recent Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report alleging politically motivated appointments of university vice chancellors, the minister declined to comment directly.
“You ask TIB about the TIB report. TIB will do the work of TIB, I will do my work,” he said, adding, the government has very recently assumed office.
The minister also announced plans to publish a white paper on alleged corruption in the education sector under the previous government. “As soon as our 180-day programme is completed, we will form a committee and the Ministry of Education will publish a white paper on corruption of the previous government,” he said.
Regarding the government's digital education initiative, Milon said the proposed One Teacher One Tab programme would require an additional 1.4 million tablets across primary, secondary and higher education institutions. He said education spending currently stands at 2 per cent of GDP and quoted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as assuring that it would gradually increase to 5 per cent.
The minister further announced that SSC examination results would be published on 20 July and said the government had revived scholarship examinations that had remained suspended during the previous administration, with plans to increase scholarship amounts in future.
