The Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) has reported that student enrollment in madrasas is increasing while numbers in schools and colleges are falling. According to its data, from 2020 to 2024, school and college enrollment dropped by several hundred thousand, while madrasa enrollment rose by about 250,000. The 2025 education statistics, yet to be published, are expected to show a continuation of this trend. BANBEIS officials confirmed that the detailed report will likely be released in June 2026.

Education experts attribute the shift to declining trust in mainstream education, citing outdated curricula, inconsistent policy decisions, and the high cost of schooling. They note that many parents now prefer madrasas, where students can learn Bangla, English, and Arabic at lower costs. The COVID-19 pandemic also accelerated this shift, as some madrasas remained open when schools were closed.

However, some academics, including a senior professor from Rajshahi University, have questioned the accuracy of BANBEIS data, claiming that madrasa enrollment is actually decreasing in certain areas.