Bangladesh’s education sector is expected to receive an increased allocation in the upcoming 2026–27 fiscal budget, as experts and policymakers emphasize the need to improve quality and research. Despite decades of expansion in institutions and infrastructure, the country’s education budget has remained below two percent of GDP, far short of UNESCO’s recommended four to six percent. The current BNP government, which pledged in its election manifesto to raise education spending to five percent of GDP, has indicated that allocations will gradually increase.

Education specialists, including Naogaon University Vice-Chancellor Professor Hasanat Ali, stressed that nearly 90 percent of the current education budget goes to salaries and infrastructure, leaving little for teacher training or research. Civil society groups such as Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) also urged the government to treat education funding as a long-term investment rather than mere expenditure. Opposition and government leaders echoed similar calls in parliament, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon reaffirming commitments to raise allocations.

Stakeholders suggested that the government aim to raise education spending to 2.5 percent of GDP in the next budget, reaching five percent within three years and six percent within five years, aligning with international standards.