National University VC calls for 5% gdp allocation for education
National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ASM Amanullah stated that the current national budget allocation is insufficient to improve the quality of education. As a result, the country's overall development remains constrained.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organised by the Education Reform Initiative (ERI) to mark World Teachers' Day 2025, held at Dainik Shiksha.com's conference room in Moghbazar on Monday, Professor Amanullah stressed that at least 5% of GDP should be allocated to the education sector, compared to the current 1.5%.
"Countries that gained independence around the same time as Bangladesh have advanced much further by prioritising education and investing in human capital," he said.
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He added that teachers' social status remains low because the state does not give education due importance. "The National University is working to change this reality. We have strengthened teachers' roles in college governing boards and are prioritising their training," he said.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that initiatives have been taken to establish research laboratories in affiliated colleges. Incentives will be offered to teachers engaged in research. He announced, "Letters of interest for research will soon be invited."
He further mentioned that syllabus reforms are underway at undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate levels to develop skilled human resources. ICT and English are now compulsory in honours courses. He urged the government to establish an Education Commission without delay to accelerate education reform.
The seminar was chaired by ERI Chairman and former State Minister for Education, Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon. It was attended by Dhaka College Principal, Professor AKM Elias; Government Titumir College Principal, Dr Sadruddin Ahmed; Chairman of the Principals' Council, Professor Mazharul Hannan; and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Professor, Jamshed Alam, as special guests.
Dr Milon said the ERI is working to analyse the overall state of the country's education system. "Recommendations prepared with teachers' input will be submitted to the next government. If the BNP forms the government, implementation will be expedited," he added.
Teachers from primary, secondary, higher secondary, and college levels across the country attended the seminar and called for action to address existing inequalities in the education system.
