Is elementary education free and compulsory in Bangladesh?

Given Bangladesh’s constitutional provisions guaranteeing free education and recent government initiatives like the “Education for All” policy alongside challenges such as dropout rates and accessibility in rural areas, especially following the pandemic, how effectively does the current legal framework enforce free and compulsory elementary education up to grade 5 or grade 8, and what barriers still exist in ensuring universal enrollment, retention, and quality delivery across all socioeconomic regions?

Yes, elementary education (primarily defined as primary education covering Classes 1 to 5) in Bangladesh is both free and compulsory by law.

1. Compulsory: The Compulsory Primary Education Act, 1990 mandates primary education for all children. The Act specifies that every child between the ages of 6 and 10 years must receive education in a primary school or through recognized alternative programs. This makes enrollment and completion of primary education a legal obligation for parents/guardians.

2. Free: The government provides free tuition for primary education (Class 1 to 5) in government and government-registered non-government primary schools. This means students are not required to pay for basic instruction within the formal school system.

Further Details:

• Legislative Framework: The legal basis is primarily the Compulsory Primary Education Act, 1990 (amended later) and subsequent government policies and initiatives.
• Duration: Compulsory primary education covers a five-year cycle (Class 1 to Class 5), generally corresponding to ages 6 to 11.
• Age Range: The law specifically targets children within the 6 to 10 years age group. While compulsory for this range, the Minimum Age of Employment Act sets the legal working age at 14, reinforcing the expectation that children should be in school during these years.
• Scope: "Free" officially covers the tuition fees. However, families may still incur costs associated with books, uniforms, examination fees, transportation, and school supplies, which can act as significant barriers to access and completion, especially for impoverished households.
• Universalization Goal: The government has policies aimed at Universal Primary Education (UPE) and achieving Education for All (EFA) goals, emphasizing the elimination of financial and non-financial barriers to primary school enrollment and retention.
• Implementation Challenges: Despite the legal framework, enforcement and implementation face challenges. These include:
  • Poverty: Families, especially in rural areas, often rely on child labor for income, conflicting with compulsory schooling.
  • Hidden Costs: As mentioned, non-tuition costs deter enrollment.
  • Accessibility: Lack of schools in remote areas, poor quality of infrastructure, and teacher shortages, particularly in rural regions.
  • Cultural Factors: Deep-rooted beliefs, especially regarding girls’ education, can lead to early marriage or household responsibilities.
  • Dropout Rates: While enrollment has increased significantly, dropout rates, particularly for girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds, remain a concern, especially in later primary grades (Class 4-5).
  • Special Needs: Ensuring access and quality for children with disabilities or other special needs remains a challenge.
• Government Initiatives: The government runs programs like the Primary Education Stipend Program and Food for Education to address economic barriers. Initiatives like Second Chance Education provide pathways for out-of-school children to rejoin the system.
• Non-State Providers: While state schools are the primary providers for free compulsory education, a significant number of non-government schools (NGOs, registered private schools) also operate, often charging low fees but still participating in the compulsory framework under government regulation.