Bangladesh's HSC level comparable to Singapore's Grade 6 standard, says Bobby Hajjaj

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said Bangladesh's education system has suffered from decades of neglect, leaving the country's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) standard comparable to that of a sixth-grade student in Singapore.

Speaking during a general discussion on the supplementary budget for FY2026-27 in parliament today (14 June), Hajjaj said the government had begun a series of reforms to address longstanding weaknesses in the education sector.

"The disorder that existed in primary and mass education over the past two decades is now visible to everyone. As a result, many students are unable to pass university admission tests," he said.

The state minister described the proposed budget as a forward-looking and people-centric plan aimed at building a stronger Bangladesh through investment in education.

He said the government's election manifesto had identified education as the country's most important long-term investment and that the sector had received its highest-ever allocation under the proposed budget.

"Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tarique Rahman and the finance minister outlined this vision from the very beginning. Education is not an expenditure - it is an investment in the nation's future," he said.

According to Hajjaj, education spending had remained between 1.3% and 1.4% of GDP for years but has now been increased to 2%, with plans to gradually raise the allocation to 5% in the coming years.

He said reforms are being implemented across primary education, including curriculum development, teacher training, infrastructure improvement and administrative restructuring.

The state minister also defended the government's decision to introduce sports and cultural education for students in Grades 4 and 5, criticising those who have opposed the initiative as the "dirty mindset".

He accused some political opponents of spreading misinformation about cultural education and attempting to portray it as harmful to children.

"Those who once made indecent remarks about female members of parliament are now claiming that cultural education will lead children astray. Such criticism stems from the same unhealthy mindset," he said.

Hajjaj argued that developing a prosperous and modern Bangladesh would require nurturing creative, open-minded and confident young people.

"Culture and sports are essential components of a balanced education system. If we want to build a developed nation, we must create opportunities for our children to think freely, develop creativity and grow into responsible citizens," he added.