New national curriculum to begin from 2028: Minister

The government will introduce a new national curriculum for primary and secondary education from 2028, Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced on Wednesday, saying more time is needed to prepare the framework and ensure its effective implementation.

The announcement came at a press conference held at the Secretariat to brief journalists on preparations for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, which are set to begin on Thursday.

The education minister said the government had initially considered introducing the revised curriculum in 2027, but the plan was deferred due to time constraints. He said a dedicated committee has already been formed to develop the new curriculum, which is expected to bring significant changes to the country’s education system.

“We could not introduce the new curriculum in 2027 because of the limited time available. It will now be implemented from 2028 after completing the necessary preparations,” Milon told reporters.

The government aims to design a modern and balanced curriculum that goes beyond conventional classroom learning and better prepares students for future academic and professional challenges.

Speaking at the briefing, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education, Mahdi Amin, outlined the vision behind the proposed curriculum. He said the reform is being undertaken under the leadership of the prime minister to create a more holistic education system that gives equal importance to academic knowledge, cultural development, sports and co-curricular activities.

“Our goal is to move beyond textbook-based learning. We want students to develop creativity, leadership, teamwork and social values through greater participation in cultural, sporting and other co-curricular activities,” the adviser said.

Mahdi Amin also stressed the importance of making technical and vocational education an integral part of the mainstream education system. He said the government wants students to acquire practical and job-oriented skills alongside academic knowledge, enabling them to meet the demands of a rapidly changing labour market.

Education officials believe the planned reforms will help produce skilled, innovative and well-rounded graduates capable of contributing to the country’s economic and social development.

During the press conference, Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque also presented details of this year’s HSC and equivalent examinations. He briefed reporters on the overall preparations, including security measures, examination management and coordination among the relevant authorities to ensure the exams are conducted smoothly across the country.

The government is expected to unveil further details of the curriculum framework, implementation strategy and teacher training programme after the curriculum development committee completes its work. Education authorities say consultations with academics, teachers, education experts and other stakeholders will be carried out before the new curriculum is finalised.