Free education for girls under Khaleda era propelled growth of RMG industry
Without policy support by Khaleda’s administration, many girls from poor families might have married early or entered less productive activities, as their families could not have otherwise afforded to keep them in school
When the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government led by Khaleda Zia took office in 1991, one of its most significant decisions was to make education free for girls up to the 10th grade.
This policy not only expanded educational opportunities, but also played an important role in the development of Bangladesh's ready-made garments and textile industries, and it contributed to broader industrial growth.
In the early 1990s, the proportion of female workers in the RMG sector was relatively low. However, once education up to SSC level became free for girls, school attendance among girls began to rise steadily.
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Without this support, many girls from poor families might have married early or entered less productive activities, as their families could not otherwise afford to keep them in school.
In the early 1990s, the proportion of female workers in the RMG sector was relatively low. However, once education up to SSC level became free for girls, school attendance among girls began to rise steadily.
By the time these girls completed SSC, they were usually old enough to enter the workforce legally. Increasing participation in education therefore had the added effect of reducing child labour in factories.
As more young women became educated, they began to join the garment workforce in greater numbers. By the 2000s, female workers made up about 70% of the total garment workforce.
In addition to educational reforms, several policy decisions made during the BNP's tenure also supported industrialisation, particularly in the garments sector and its backward linkage industry, textiles.
For example, a 25% subsidy given to textile mills between 1991 and 1996 encouraged local investment. Subsequent policy incentives under both the 1991-96 and 2001-2006 governments helped the textile industry attract around $23 billion in investment.
Domestic textile mills have since achieved the capacity to supply nearly all knitwear and over half of woven fabrics used by the garments industry.
Fazlee Shamim Ehsan is the President of Bangladesh Employers Federation.
