Govt begins work on 2028 primary curriculum reform

The government has formally initiated work on the 2028 primary curriculum, placing emphasis on value-based education, foundational literacy and numeracy, clear learning outcomes, and digital learning materials.

While speaking at a views-exchange meeting held at the Directorate of Primary Education in Mirpur, Dhaka, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said the country’s education system would be reorganised on a value-based framework, incorporating family values, moral education, civic responsibility, and religious and cultural consciousness as key components.

According to a press release issued by the ministry, the meeting, titled “Primary Curriculum Development: Guiding Principles for Textbook, Teacher Guide, Remedial Guide, and Video Lesson Design for DPE, NAPE, NCTB, and Curriculum Partners”, marked the formal beginning of the 2028 curriculum reform journey.

Bobby said the new curriculum would prioritise students’ actual learning capacity, reading ability, mathematical skills and life-oriented education, with foundational literacy and numeracy identified as a central government priority.

He explained that the curriculum would be designed so that students in class two or three could read a book, understand it, express it in their own words and develop an interest in learning. Clear learning outcomes will be set for each grade, while a specific “exit profile” will define the skills students should achieve by the end of class five.

Textbooks, teacher guides, assessment methods and supplementary materials will be prepared accordingly, he mentioned.

The state minister added that video lessons, digital content and interactive learning materials would be introduced for both students and teachers.

Pre-primary education will be conducted entirely through play-based and joyful learning methods.

He also announced that every government primary school will be equipped with an interactive flat panel within one year, with every classroom expected to have one within three years.

Senior officials from the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Directorate of Primary Education, National Academy for Primary Education, BRAC education programme, Campaign for Popular Education, Plan International Bangladesh and other curriculum partners attended the meeting.