Bangladesh seeks more Global Partnership for Education funding for primary level: Bobby Hajjaj
Bangladesh has already secured $98.85m in GPE grants for education reforms and technology-enabled learning.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Boby Hajjaj has sought increased funding and technical support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for ongoing reforms and new initiatives in Bangladesh's primary education sector.
He made the call while attending GPE's high-level conference, titled Multiply Possibility: A New Era for Education Financing, at the United Nations headquarters in New York today (23 September).
On the sidelines of the conference, the state minister also raised the issue of expanding GPE's funding and technical assistance for Bangladesh's primary education sector during a meeting with GPE Deputy CEO Charles North.
According to a press release from the education ministry, the meeting discussed various government initiatives to improve the quality of primary education, reform the education system, develop teachers, introduce technology-based monitoring and improve children's learning outcomes.
Bobby said the government is working to ensure quality, inclusive and future-oriented primary education for every child.
"The goal is not just to ensure children's attendance at school, but also to ensure actual learning in classrooms and prepare them with skills for the future," he said.
He said international partnerships are important to achieve these goals and called for greater GPE support for Bangladesh's education sector.
According to the ministry, Charles North praised Bangladesh's priorities and ongoing initiatives in the primary education sector. He also gave positive assurances about continuing GPE's support for Bangladesh's education sector and expanding areas of cooperation in the future.
Bobby expressed Bangladesh's interest in working closely with GPE on the country's needs and priorities in education.
He also invited GPE CEO Laura Frigenti and Deputy CEO Charles North to visit Bangladesh, saying their visit would provide an opportunity to review the priorities, ongoing reforms and potential areas of future cooperation in the primary education sector.
The ministry said Bangladesh secured a grant of $98.85 million from GPE in 2026. Hajjaj attended the high-level event with the aim of further expanding GPE's current funding for the country's education sector.
The conference was held at the ECOSOC Chamber of the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA81). The Permanent Missions of Italy and Nigeria to the United Nations and GPE jointly organised the event.
