Dhaka: The government has allocated Taka 2,500 for each government primary school to organize programs centered around the remembrance of child martyrs from last year's mass uprising in July.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) has announced that all government primary schools nationwide will hold commemorative events on July 24, 2025. This initiative aims to honor the memory of the July martyrs and instill the spirit of the uprising in young minds.
The Directorate issued a circular on July 16, detailing the fund allocation, which totals Taka 16,39,15,000. DPE Director General Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman informed BSS that 65,569 government primary schools will receive these funds to organize cultural events, including song, poetry, dance, and essay writing competitions.
The Director General emphasized that approximately 10 million children are expected to participate in the events, making it one of the largest school-based commemorative programs in recent times. He also highlighted the directive's guidelines on fund usage, ensuring transparency and adherence to government financial rules.
The funding, drawn from the fiscal year 2025-2026 operating budget, is classified under institutional code 1240201107529 and economic code 3257301 (programme/festival category), with a total of Taka 57,87,40,000 earmarked for this purpose. The circular, signed by Nurul Islam, Deputy Director (Finance-Revenue) of the DPE, mandates that expenditures follow the Integrated Budget and Accounting System (iBAS++) guidelines, with unspent funds to be returned by June 30, 2026. Any misuse will result in personal liability for the concerned expenditure officer.
Copies of the fund allocation have been distributed to relevant government offices, including the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education's Chief Accounts and Finance Officer, district and upazila accounts officers, and other pertinent departments. The DPE Director General stated that this initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve the historical legacy of July, educating the next generation about the events that significantly influenced the nation's democratic journey.