Ecnec approves Tk41,090cr for fifth primary education development programme

The government has approved the fifth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5), estimated at Tk41,090 crore, to improve primary education quality nationwide over the next five years.

The programme will run from July 2026 to June 2031 and received approval at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat today (4 November).

Of the total estimated cost, Tk33,203.48 crore will come from government funds, while the remaining Tk7,887.25 crore is expected to be financed through foreign loans and grants.

However, the Planning Commission has raised concerns over several proposed expenditures and activities, particularly a Tk436 crore consultancy package, and instructed the authorities to revise the development project proposal (DPP) within two weeks.

Briefing journalists at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar after the meeting, Planning State Minister Zunaid Saki said PEDP-5 was a large programme comprising multiple projects and activities.

He said the Planning Commission had raised several observations when the proposal was initially submitted. Although a revised proposal was submitted in response, a second round of scrutiny identified further areas of concern.

The commission had previously questioned allocations for several components, including the Tk436 crore consultancy package, and reiterated its observations during the latest review, he said.

It also directed that positions and activities whose expenses should be covered by the revenue budget be transferred to the revenue sector within the next two years.

The commission also issued instructions on post-project activities and preparing the project completion report (PCR), Saki said.

He said the prime minister had instructed the authorities to expedite the launch of PEDP-5, prompting its approval in view of the need to implement primary education initiatives without delay.

However, the relevant authorities must incorporate all the Planning Commission’s observations and directives into the revised DPP and resubmit it within two weeks, he added.