State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today said two decades of neglect have left Bangladesh’s education system in such a dire state that the country’s intermediate level (HSC) is often compared to class six of Singapore.
He made the remarks while speaking during the general discussion on the supplementary budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the parliament. The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
Criticising the past 20 years of mismanagement in education, Bobby said the chaos in primary and mass education has become evident, with many students failing university entrance exams.
“In Singapore, our HSC level is considered equivalent to their class 6,” he added.
To overcome this crisis, he said, reforms have been initiated under the prime minister’s directives -- covering curriculum, teacher quality, infrastructure, and administration.
At the outset of his speech, the state minister described the new budget as “people-friendly” and a blueprint for building a better Bangladesh of tomorrow.
As part of this long-term national investment, the largest allocation has now been made for the education sector, with primary and mass education prioritised for a complete overhaul.
Regarding allocations, Bobby noted that while education previously received only 1.3-1.4 percent of GDP, this year it has been raised to 2 percent, with a target of gradually reaching 5 percent. Expressing his determination to make Bangladesh’s education system “envied worldwide,” he urged the opposition to engage in constructive criticism but not obstruct the nation’s core goals.
Bobby also criticised the negative propaganda of political opponents both inside and outside the parliament.
He said the government has already initiated the process to introduce sports and cultural education from classes four and five. Yet, some opposition members have started negative campaigns against cultural curricula.
“From the same toxic mindset that once produced indecent remarks against women MPs, they now claim cultural education will lead children astray,” he said.
