What is the typical age range for elementary school in Bangladesh?

I’m researching educational systems for a cross-cultural study and noticed significant variation in global primary education structures. Specifically, I need to verify Bangladesh’s elementary school age range to compare with neighboring South Asian countries. I’ve encountered conflicting information: some sources suggest children start at age 5 while others indicate age 6. Could you clarify the officially recognized compulsory education entry age in Bangladesh and how this aligns with the typical duration of elementary schooling? Additionally, are there regional differences between rural and urban institutions, or variations between public and private school models? The answer should reflect current policies rather than historical structures.

The typical age range for elementary school in Bangladesh, which corresponds to the primary education level, is 6 to 11 years old.

Further Details:

1. Duration: This level spans five years (Grades 1 through 5).
2. Starting Age: Children typically enroll in Grade 1 at the age of 6 years.
3. Ending Age: Upon successful completion of Grade 5 at approximately age 11, students progress to the secondary education level.
4. Educational Stages:
   • Primary Education: 5 years (Grades 1-5, ages 6-11).
   • Secondary Education (Junior): 3 years (Grades 6-8, ages 12-14).
   • Secondary Education (Higher Secondary): 2 years (Grades 9-10, ages 15-16), followed by another 2 years (Grades 11-12, ages 16-18) for Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC).
5. System Structure: This is the standard public school structure under the management of the Ministry of Education and the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board (for religious madrasas) and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).
6. Variations: While 6-11 is the typical range, the exact start and end ages can vary slightly depending on individual circumstances (e.g., a child starting school later or earlier than the standard age) and the type of institution (e.g., some English-medium schools or madrasas might have slightly different age structures, though the 5-year primary phase is common). However, 6 to 11 years remains the universally recognized and predominant age range for primary/elementary education in Bangladesh.