Enrolment in government primary schools across Rajshahi division has declined over the past 12 years despite population growth, while private kindergartens and madrasas have continued to attract more students, according to official data.
Figures from the Divisional Deputy Director's Office of Primary Education show that student enrolment in government primary schools dropped from 1,320,975 in 2014 to 1,183,992 in 2026, a decline of 136,983. During the same period, the population of Rajshahi division increased by around 2.5 million.
In contrast, enrolment in private primary schools, including kindergartens, rose from 436,966 to 504,030 students. Officials also said admissions to Alia and Qawmi madrasas have increased steadily, although consolidated enrolment data were unavailable.
Educationists say the shift reflects growing concerns among parents about the quality of education in government schools, as well as stronger confidence in private institutions.
Head teachers across the division said the rapid expansion of kindergartens and madrasas has contributed significantly to declining enrolment in government schools.
Afroza Khatun, head teacher of Kantanagar Government Primary School in Bagmara upazila, said the school's enrolment had fallen from around 100 students to about 60 after two kindergartens opened nearby.
At Atkoshi Government Primary School in Rajshahi city, enrolment has dropped from more than 550 students five years ago to around 350, according to head teacher Nilufa Akhtar Khanam.
"There are at least 10 kindergarten schools and several madrasas within one kilometre of our school. Many students have transferred there," she said.
Teachers from more than two dozen government primary schools interviewed by this correspondent reported similar trends, with many citing increased admissions to nearby kindergartens and madrasas.
Nikhil Ranjan Pramanik, a teacher at Kachua-2 Government Primary School in Tanore upazila, said 17 students recently left his school to enrol in a nearby madrasa.
"We are trying to improve the quality of education, but admissions continue to decline every year," he said.
Parents said they preferred kindergartens because of regular assessments, closer teacher supervision, better communication with families and greater emphasis on English-language education.
"Government schools are free, but we are not satisfied with the quality of education," said Mustafizur Rahman, a parent in Rajshahi city. "Kindergarten teachers closely monitor children and regularly update parents on their progress."
Another guardian, Saju, whose son attends Shaheen School in Rajshahi, said he chose a private school because he believed it offered better-quality education and stronger English instruction.
Domestic worker Asma Begum said she enrolled her daughter in a kindergarten despite financial hardship because she wanted her to receive a better education.
Professor Dr Akhter Banu, director of the Institute of Education and Research at Rajshahi University, said parents ultimately choose schools they trust.
"Even many government primary school teachers prefer to enrol their own children in private schools instead of the schools where they teach. That reflects declining confidence in the public education system," she said.
She said weak supervision, limited teacher motivation and a lack of accountability have undermined public trust, while private schools maintain closer communication with parents.
"Unless supervision, accountability and teacher motivation improve, parents will continue to shift their children to other institutions," she added.
Nur Akhtar Jannatul Ferdous, assistant director at the Rajshahi Divisional Deputy Director's Office of Primary Education, said more research was needed to determine the reasons behind the decline in enrolment.
"It is not possible to identify a single reason at this stage. A detailed study is needed to understand the factors involved," she said.