Education of Bangladesh

Highest allocations for education in the national budgets during the nineties show that the government has attached topmost priority to human resource development through education. The goal of 'Education for All' is being vigorously pursued in the country. The education system is divided into 4 levels-- Primary (from grades 1 to 5), Secondary (from grades 6 to 10), Higher Secondary (from grades 11 to 12) and tertiary.

Alongside national educating system, English medium education is also provided by some private enterprises. They offer 'A' level and 'O' level courses. There is also Madrasa system which emphasizes on Arabic medium Islam-based education. This system is supervised by the lone Madrasa Board of the country.

Compulsory primary education, free education for girls up to class ten, stipends for female students, food for educational total literacy movement and nationwide integrated education are some of the major programs being the government in the education sector.

There are 11 (42) government universities and approximately 20 private universities in Bangladesh. Specialized universities are Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh Agricultural University and Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujib Medical University.. The number of government and non-government medical colleges stand at 1, 3 and 5 respectively. There are 4 (131) engineering colleges and universities, 2845 colleges, institutes, 12553 secondary schools, and 78595 primary schools.

To make higher education accessible to all, an Open University has been set up in the country. A National University has also been set up to serve as an affiliating university colleges across the country.

Alongside the general system of education parallel system known as Madrasha education which offers Islamic education to Muslim boys and girls. Hindus and Buddhists also receive religious education at institutes called Tol and Chatuspathi.