Staff Reporter:
As the financial year 2023-24 approaches, concerns are arising over the budget allocation for the educa-tion sector.
The budget allocation was a subject of discussion among students from Dhaka University, technical insti-tutes, and madrasas.
A third-year student majoring in accounting at Dhaka University expressed his thoughts: “Although the budget allocation for the education sector has increased compared to last year’s figures, in the proposed budget, it stands at 1.76 percent of the GDP. While the monetary value has risen compared to last year, it has not increased in real terms. The education sector must receive a larger share of the GDP to effec-tively address the current challenges.”
Another third-year student of DU’s Mass Communication and Journalism department, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the education sector.
He remarked, “To keep pace with the rapidly evolving world, the education sector needs better organiza-tion and increased attention. Budget allocation should be augmented accordingly.”
As the country strives for a knowledge-based economy, it becomes imperative to prioritize and adequate-ly fund the education sector. The allocation for research in universities should also be increased to pro-mote innovation and advance the nation’s progress, he added.
The students’ collective sentiment underscores the urgent need for a higher allocation in the education sector, considering the rising inflation and the challenges students face in meeting their daily needs.
