Dhaka: State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today announced plans to harmonise the curricula of Bangla and English medium education systems in Bangladesh, aiming to elevate the country's education standards to a global level. He emphasised the importance of establishing a common minimum standard for students' basic knowledge, skills, and learning outcomes, regardless of their medium of study.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister delivered these remarks as the chief guest at the 'School Leaders Conference 2026', organised by Oxford AQA International Qualifications at a hotel in Dhaka. Hajjaj highlighted the government's commitment to investing time, resources, and effort to achieve a world-class education system. He expressed the aspiration for Bangladesh's education practices to become exemplary on a global scale.
Hajjaj outlined plans for a coordinated initiative involving both government and private educational institutions, focusing on curriculum development, infrastructure improvements, teacher training, and the integration of technology. He stressed the importance of having a consistent standard for basic knowledge and skills across all educational streams, including English and Bangla mediums.
Addressing the disparities between educational institutions, Hajjaj noted that while differences in quality may exist, significant disparities in curriculum and basic education standards should be eliminated. He underscored the need for swift reforms in primary education fundamentals, advocating for clear standards in school hours, effective learning hours, classroom sizes, infrastructure, and teacher training.
The state minister also highlighted the role of technology and modern teaching methods, advocating for activity-based learning and learning through play as key components of future primary education. He expressed a desire to learn from the experiences of English medium schools, particularly their effective use of Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Hajjaj assured that the formulation of the new curriculum would be inclusive, taking into account the opinions and experiences of various stakeholders. The government's objective is to create a level playing field for all educational institutions in Bangladesh through coordinated efforts in curriculum, infrastructure, teacher training, and technology.
The conference was chaired by Oxford AQA's Country Director for Bangladesh and Nepal, Shaheen Reza, and featured University Grants Commission (UGC) member Professor Dr Abdullah Al Mamun as a special guest. Representatives from the British High Commission, the British Council, and principals from various English medium educational institutions in Dhaka also attended the event.