ARAFAT RAHAMAN

The BNP-led government flagged education as a priority in its first 100 days, unveiling plans for curriculum revision, compulsory sports from Class IV, free uniforms, midday meals and a commitment to raise education spending to 5 percent of GDP.

It also identified 43 priority areas, announced a 12-point education agenda and launched a 180-day programme covering technical education and classroom digitisation.

However, educationists say it is unclear how the government will finance and implement the plans and how it will monitor their progress. Moreover, concerns remain over teacher shortages, students’ dependency on coaching centres and guidebooks, and political influence in university appointments.

“The overall plan, strategy and basic goals are still not clear. The initiatives look fragmented, separate and partial,” Manzoor Ahmed, professor emeritus at Brac University, told The Daily Star.

Separate plans should be designed for different types and levels of education -- school, madrasa, technical and vocational, and higher education, he noted.

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