United News of Bangladesh

For thousands of children left behind by poverty, migration, disability or family hardship, the classroom has long been out of reach in Bangladesh. Now, a new government move seeks to reopen that door—this time with skills at its core. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has taken a fresh move to bring out-of-school children with learning through a skills-oriented alternative education programme, aiming not only to restore their right to education but also to prepare them as productive members of the future workforce. A Development Project Proposal (DPP) titled “Alternative Learning Opportunities for Out-of-School Children” has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval. Govt rolls out e-learning in 12 CHT schools If cleared, the project will be implemented by the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) from January 2026 to December 2028 in selected upazilas of  all 64 districts. With an estimated cost of Tk 158.73 crore, the project will be largely government-funded, with Tk 147.03 crore coming from the national exchequer and Tk 11.70 crore provided by UNICEF as project assistance. Learning beyond the classroom The initiative is designed to offer quality, non-formal primary education to children who have either dropped out of school or never enrolled at all. But unlike traditional catch-up programmes, this one places strong emphasis on practical, livelihood-oriented skills alongside basic literacy and numeracy. Officials involved in the project say the goal is twofold: to help children re-enter mainstream education and to gradually equip them with competencies suited to the demands of a changing, skills-driven economy. Under the programme, children will receive flexible, non-formal primary education combined with basic skills training. Life under threat: Feni schools continue classes in unsafe buildings Key activities include mapping surveys to identify target children, delivery of education and skills modules, monitoring and evaluation, and the provision of learning and training materials. Progress—and persistent gaps Bangladesh has made significant strides in expanding access to primary education over the past decades. The country achieved the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary enrolment, reduced dropout rates and steadily improved completion levels. Free and compulsory primary education remains a constitutional commitment, and literacy rates have risen accordingly. According to the Planning Commission, about 22.10 percent of people aged 15 and above are still illiterate. Data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ Labour Force Survey 2022 shows that 28.7 percent of working individuals have no formal education, while another 24.5 percent completed only some or all of primary schooling. Only around one-third reached the secondary level. These figures point to a persistent deficit in human resource development particularly among those who missed out on education early in life. A second chance with dignity Policymakers see the proposed project as a way to prevent children from falling permanently behind. By offering flexible learning pathways and linking education with practical skills, the programme aims to make learning relevant, dignified and economically meaningful. A senior Planning Commission official said the initiative could play a critical role in reintegrating excluded children into the education system. “Once implemented, the project will provide skill-based, quality non-formal primary education to out-of-school children, helping them return to mainstream education and preparing them for the modern world,” the official said. Education experts said investment in out-of-school children is as much a humanitarian obligation as it is a development priority. Without such support, they warn, vulnerable children remain at high risk of child labour, chronic poverty and social marginalisation. By nurturing their potential early through learning that blends education with skills, the initiative aims to turn a lost opportunity into a second chance, and to help build a more skilled, inclusive workforce for Bangladesh’s future.  

The result for the recruitment of assistant teachers in government primary schools was announced after following all required legal procedures, said Primary and Mass Education Adviser, Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar on Tuesday. Although the High Court recently annulled the appointments of 6,531 candidates for assistant teacher positions in the Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, the adviser said that the ministry had adhered to all necessary legal protocols in declaring the result and expressed sympathy for the candidates, whose appointments had been cancelled. HC cancels appointment process of 6, 531 primary teachers He was speaking to the media at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium following the third day of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) conference, The ruling by the High Court had upset the candidates, but an appeal had already been made. As the matter was under judicial review, there was no room for administrative intervention at this stage, the adviser said. “We have not declared the result independently. We did so after consulting both the Ministry of Public Administration and the Ministry of Law. Therefore, we believe that we have carried out our work according to the legal framework,” he added. Primary school teachers protest at Shaheed Minar, demand implementation of 10th grade salary scale The High Court, on February 6, had ordered the cancellation of the appointments of 6,531 assistant teachers and instructed that new appointments be made based on merit. Since then, those whose results were annulled have been protesting against the decision. Bidhan said that the DCs were briefed on ongoing efforts, including administrative matters related to construction works and the registration of kindergartens. He stressed the importance of following guidelines for kindergarten registrations, as many institutions were yet to comply with these regulations. Primary school teachers protest at Shaheed Minar, demand implementation of 10th grade salary scale He also said that 85% of the primary school textbooks had already been distributed, with the remaining books expected to reach all schools by the end of this month.

The government has taken a decision to appoint 93 percent teachers in the primary education level, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy said on Sunday. “There will be no dependent quota in the primary teacher’s recruitment,” he said while speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the officials concerned of Khulna Division at Khulna Divisional Commissioner’s office on Sunday. He also stressed the need for training of teachers before joining their duty for the development of primary education. Bidhan said it is impossible for one to maintain the quality of education at the primary level, rather collective participation of the society is needed. He also sought cooperation from all to achieve this goal. Bangladesh-India stalemate: Foreign Affairs Adviser sees path to resolution Referring to the infrastructures, the adviser said beautiful schools are being built in Dhaka city corporations and surrounding areas and ‘Mid-Day Meals’ will be introduced in all primary schools across the country within the next five years. “The project is currently awaiting approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).” In the first phase, it will be introduced in 150 upazilas of the country as the students in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban some and other parts of the country are already getting ‘Mid-Day Meals’. Besides, stipends were introduced to increase the attendance of students, he said. He said although students' names are listed for stipends at primary schools, many of them are studying in other schools.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has denounced the incident where teachers of 265 primary schools in Kurigram attending the wedding reception of the son of the state minister of primary and mass education keeping the schools closed. Head teachers have institutionalised personal invitations using their three days of reserved leave in such a way, the graft watchdog body said in a statement on Tuesday. Read more: TIB wants ACC's work order granting greater powers to secretary withdrawn In this regard, a clear explanation from the government is needed as to whether this leave reserved for special circumstances can be used for such events or not, it said. According to the media reports, the teachers of Chilmari, Roumari and Char Rajibpur upazilas of Kurigram attended the wedding reception on January 8. They also presented gold rings, a refrigerator and a washing machine after each teacher contributed Tk 500 each compulsorily.   The TIB has demanded that all those involved, including the state minister, should be made accountable for such an incident that demonstrated the destruction of the country's education sector through partisanship and abuse of power. Read more: IMF’s conditions for loan: TIB watchful about “discriminatory implications” TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “This incident is an extremely alarming example of the country's education system being held hostage by factionalism and abuse of power in the long process. None of the state ministers, education officers concerned and teachers can avoid the responsibility.” The government should publish an explanation in this regard for the information of the public, especially the students, he added.

The information of question paper leakage through social media in the recruitment examination for the post of assistant teacher in primary schools is an absolute rumour, said State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain on Friday. The state minister made this remark after inspecting the exam centre at Eden Mohila College in Dhaka. Also read:1st phase exam to recruit primary school assistant teachers begins Friday “We are continuously monitoring to prevent question paper leak. And we haven’t received any information regarding the leak,” said Zakir. “If anyone gets any information, let us know. We will take immediate action.” The first phase of the recruitment examination for the post of Assistant Teacher of government Primary School started at 11 am on Friday. The recruitment test is being held in the first phase in 22 districts of the country, in which the test is being held in all the upazilas of 14 districts and in some upazilas of eight districts. Also read: Primary Teacher Recruitment: 23 instructions for candidates for the post of primary assistant teacher Around 13,09,461 candidates have applied for 45 thousand assistant teacher posts. The second phase exam will be held on May 20 in 30 districts and the third phase in 31 districts on June 3. At present, there are 65,566 govt primary schools in the country with 4,28,701 vacant teachers’ post.

 

State Minister of Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain on Tuesday said educational institutions are likely to reopen any day in February after 11 months of closure forced by the coronavirus outbreak.

A parliamentary standing comittee on Wednesday formed a sub-committee to investigate the alleged corruption in establishing Bangabandhu Corner at all government primary schools.

The pre-primary education, the foundation of childhood education, is going to be extended to two years from existing one year.