State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said the government has allocated the highest education budget in history, describing education as the nation’s biggest investment. He made the remarks on Tuesday after visiting several government primary schools in Jaintapur and Gowainghat upazilas of Sylhet. The government is working toward raising education-sector allocations to 5 percent of gross domestic product within the next four years.

Hajjaj said initiatives include infrastructure development, technology-based learning, a modern curriculum, teacher training, stronger foundational skills for students and an effective assessment system. A new assessment framework is being prepared to ensure classroom-level reading, writing and mathematics skills. All primary institutions, public and private, will be required to operate under government policies and standards, while teacher training, key performance indicator assessments and classroom quality monitoring are being strengthened.

A six-hour workshop in Sylhet division recently provided guidance on the new assessment method, grade-based learning quality and administrative oversight. Similar workshops are scheduled to be completed in all divisions by August 17. Hajjaj said administrative action would be taken if negligence is proven, and the ministry would review written proposals on mother-tongue education for small ethnic groups.