✅ Who bears the cost / How education is financed in Bangladesh
- According to a recent analysis (UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2022, in collaboration with BRAC), households in Bangladesh bear about 71% of total education-related spending, while the rest (≈ 29%) is covered by the state. The Financial Express+2Dhaka Tribune+2
- As a result, many families — especially those who send their children to private or NGO-run schools — end up shouldering most of the costs, including tuition/fees, private tutoring, supplies, etc. The Financial Express+2campebd.org+2
- About 7% of families reportedly have to borrow money (take loans) to afford children’s education. United News Bangladesh+1
In short: while there are public schools (and some government subsidy), the burden on households remains very high — especially given the prevalence of private schooling, tutoring, and additional costs beyond formal fees.
💵 Typical Household Spending — Primary & Secondary Levels
Based on a 2023 study by CAMPE (Education Watch 2023):
| School Level | Annual average family cost (2022) | 2023 trend (first 6 months) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (e.g. 5th grader) | ~ TK 13,882 campebd.org+1 | Up ~25% → equivalent to ~ TK 8,647 over six months The Daily Star+1 |
| Secondary (e.g. 9th grader) | ~ TK 27,340 campebd.org+1 | Up ~51% in 2023 first half; reported ~ TK 20,712 average over six months The Daily Star+1 |
Some additional breakdowns:
- In urban areas, primary-level costs tend to be higher (~ TK 18,132) compared to rural (~ TK 10,637) for the first half of 2022. Views Bangladesh+1
- Much of this expenditure comes from private tutoring/coaching, guide books, notebooks and other educational materials — reflecting that “free public education” still incurs sizable hidden costs. campebd.org+2The Business Standard+2
These figures show that for many families — especially with multiple children — the financial burden of primary/secondary schooling can be substantial.
🏛️ Government Funding & Public Spending on Education
- The amount the state (government) spends per student in public education remains low. According to a recent report, the government planned in 2025–26 to spend just TK 27,206 per student annually — described as “one of the lowest amounts globally.” The Daily Campus+1
- As a share of GDP and national budget, education spending in Bangladesh is well below international/UN-recommended benchmarks: though the global recommendation is ~4–6% of GDP (or 15–20% of public budgets for education), Bangladesh spends far less. The Business Standard+2Banbeis+2
- Recent government budget allocations (for 2024-25) reportedly combined education and technology under ~14% of total budget — but if you exclude “technology,” real allocation to education ministries is lower, translating to only ~1.69% of GDP allocated to education. Daily Observer+1
As a result, public funding doesn’t fully meet needs, contributing to reliance on households to fill the gap.
📈 Why Costs Are Rising (and What Families Face)
Key factors behind rising education expenses:
- Private tutoring / coaching & guide-books: The use of commercial guidebooks, notebooks, extra classes/tutoring is widespread and growing. This accounts for a major portion of out-of-pocket education costs. campebd.org+2The Daily Star+2
- Inflation and rising cost of supplies: Items like notebooks, pens, geometry sets, school bags, etc., have seen significant price increases — putting further pressure on families. Daily Observer+1
- Private schooling / NGO-run schools growth: Fees at private or NGO-run institutions are often much higher than government schools. As such schools proliferate, many families end up paying more. bdnews24.com+2The Financial Express+2
- Hidden costs even in ‘free’ public schooling: Even when tuition is nominal, families still pay for tutoring, supplies, transport, and other “ancillary” costs. Prothomalo+1
The overall effect: for many households — especially middle or lower-income families — education is a significant financial burden. In some cases, families take out loans or cut back elsewhere to afford schooling. The Financial Express+2Dhaka Tribune+2
Implications: Challenges Facing Students & Families
- Because a large part of education cost depends on private tutoring/coaching and extra materials, quality and access to education become highly unequal: wealthier families can afford better support (books, tutors), poorer families may struggle.
- Many families with limited means may drop children out or limit schooling — especially if they have multiple children. Indeed, poverty is cited as a leading cause of dropout. campebd.org+1
- The low government investment per-student and low share of GDP spent on education may limit improvements in public school infrastructure, teacher quality, and curriculum updates — which can affect overall learning outcomes and long-term quality of education.
🎯 What Could Help / What Experts Suggest
From education analysts and reports:
- Increase public spending on education — both as share of GDP and per-student funding — to reduce the burden on households and improve quality. The Business Standard+1
- Reduce dependency on private tutoring and commercial guide-books by improving quality of regular school teaching, resources, and supervision of public schools. campebd.org+2The Daily Star+2
- Ensure that “free public education” is truly accessible: controlling hidden costs (books, materials, extra fees) that disproportionately hit low-income families.