A sum of Tk79,486 crore has been proposed for the Education and Technology sector for 2019-20 fiscal year – Tk13,213 crore more than the budget passed last year, which was Tk66,273.
Since Bangladesh's independence, this is the highest amount allocated for the education sector. It is 15.2% of the total drafted budget.
The proposed budget allocation for the public administration is also the highest ever – with 18.5% of the total budget for the FY2019-20.
The government allocated Tk29,624 crore to the Education Ministry, Tk24,040 crore for the Science and Technology Ministry, and Tk7,454 crore for the Madrasa Education division.
The amount allocated to the Education and Technology sector is 3.04% in Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
Neighbouring country India allocated only 2.05% of its union budget at Rs93,847.64cr for FY2019-20, while Nepal allocated 10.6 % of their annual budget at Rs16,376cr.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the budget on behalf of Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, as he was ill.
She announced that more educational institutions would be enlisted under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) list.
If necessary, Bangladesh will also bring in teachers and trainers from abroad, the budget speech added.
Interactive classrooms will be installed in 503 model schools. The budget also recommended installing four polytechnic institutes for female students.
Read the full budget speech for FY20 here.
