Dhaka: The government has embarked on a significant initiative to enhance both the number and monthly rates of stipends across various categories within the country’s revenue sector, marking the first such revision in nearly a decade. This move aims to address the financial challenges faced by students and support their educational pursuits.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, after a prolonged period without changes, it has been proposed to increase the number of stipends for minority communities, tribal students, and students with disabilities by 20 percent. Additionally, the monthly stipend rate is set to rise by 25 percent compared to the existing rates. These adjustments are also recommended for professional stipends and those allocated to students attending teacher training colleges.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has drafted a proposal following a decision by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. This proposal seeks to revise the stipends under the revenue sector and was submitted to the Ministry of Education on January 7.
Professor B. M. Abdul Hannan, who is serving an additional duty as DSHE Director General, informed BSS that the last revision of the number and amount of stipends under the Ministry of Education’s revenue sector occurred in 2015. He emphasized that the rise in market prices and the growing student population necessitated this initiative to increase both the rate and coverage of stipends. The proposal awaits approval from the Finance Department before implementation can commence.
The draft proposal highlights that stipend rates at all levels of the revenue sector have remained static since the 2015-16 fiscal year. With the current market dynamics and an increasing number of students, an expansion in both the number and value of stipends has become crucial.
As per the minutes from a recent meeting held at the Ministry of Education, a comprehensive summary of potential expenditures has been prepared. This reflects the enhanced number and rates of stipends for minority communities, tribal students, and students with disabilities ranging from Class VI to graduation level under the revenue sector.
Sabina Yasmin, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, confirmed to BSS that the directorate’s proposal for increasing all revenue-sector stipends has been received. The Budget Branch is currently processing this proposal to forward it to the Finance Department for final approval.
The Ministry of Education’s proposal suggests increasing stipends for Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, children of Armed Forces personnel, and students from small ethnic and tribal communities from 8,760 to 10,512. The annual potential expenditure for this category is estimated at Tk 30243,600, compared to the current government expenditure of Tk 1,93,98,000.
The proposal further recommends raising stipends for visually impaired, physically disabled, and autistic students from Class VI to Class X under category ‘C’ from 1,735 to 2,082. Along with a heightened monthly stipend rate, their annual one-time allowance is also enhanced. The potential expenditure here is estimated at Tk 213,17400, against the current expenditure of Tk 441,97500.
Moreover, the proposal seeks to increase stipends for students in teacher training colleges, fine arts, and home economics institutions from 7,230 to 8,676. The estimated expenditure for this sector is Tk 742,77000, compared to the current expenditure of Tk 495,18000.
Proposed changes include increasing the monthly stipend for students from Class VI to Class X from Tk 150 to Tk 200, and for master’s level students from Tk 400-450 to Tk 500. For visually impaired master’s level students, the stipend rate will rise from Tk 1,500 to Tk 1,875.
The DSHE noted that the draft proposal also includes multiple increases in the annual one-time grant amount, in addition to the monthly stipend.
Kamrun Nahar, Assistant Director of the Planning and Development Branch of the DSHE, told BSS that if the proposal is approved, it will encourage thousands of underprivileged and meritorious students nationwide to pursue higher education. She highlighted that this initiative would significantly alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, ensuring that students at nearly all levels will receive at least 25 percent more stipend than the current rate.