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The government is planning to establish 600 model school and colleges across Bangladesh, modelled after cadet colleges, with the aim of expanding access to quality residential education.
Under the proposed plan, two institutions—one for boys and one for girls—will be set up in each of the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies. These schools will be fully residential and admit students from Class VI.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has prepared a preliminary project proposal titled “Construction of 600 Model School and Colleges in Selected Areas.” The estimated cost of the project stands at Tk 68,442 crore.
Currently, Bangladesh has no fully residential government secondary schools, although a few older institutions offer limited hostel facilities. In contrast, numerous private residential schools and madrasas operate across the country, though their exact number remains unknown.
Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said the initiative aims to establish government-run “centres of excellence” to provide high-quality education for meritorious students.
He added that alongside new institutions, the government will also prioritise improving the quality of existing schools.
Bangladesh currently has 12 cadet colleges—nine for boys and three for girls—which admit students from Class VII and offer education up to Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) level.
Education experts and officials have welcomed the proposal in principle, noting that it could create opportunities for students from low- and middle-income families to access residential education.
However, they stressed the need for careful planning, including surveys to identify areas where such institutions are most needed.
Regions such as the Chattogram Hill Tracts, haor areas like Sunamganj, char regions, and densely populated urban zones could benefit significantly from well-planned residential institutions.
At the same time, experts emphasised that improving the quality of existing primary, secondary, and higher secondary institutions remains critical.
Addressing teacher shortages, infrastructure gaps, and learning deficits should be prioritised alongside new investments.
The proposed project includes acquiring around three acres of land for each institution, with land acquisition costs estimated at Tk 30,000 crore. Each academic building is planned to be 10 storeys high, costing around Tk 80 crore per unit, totalling Tk 24,000 crore.
Additionally, 600 hostels will be constructed at a cost of Tk 6,000 crore, while 600 artificial intelligence (AI) labs are planned with an estimated budget of Tk 1,200 crore.
The project is expected to be implemented over five years, from 2026 to 2030, with discussions underway regarding possible foreign financing support.
According to DSHE Director General Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud, the primary objective is to expand access to quality education, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged regions. He noted that the final decision will consider the project’s cost, feasibility, and necessity, as well as the need to upgrade existing institutions.
Data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) shows that more than 9.4 million students are enrolled at the secondary level. However, concerns remain over education quality, with over 18 percent of approved teaching posts in government secondary schools currently vacant.
Studies also indicate that many students lag behind in key subjects such as English and mathematics, often relying on private tutoring due to inadequate classroom instruction.
Education analysts caution that previous initiatives to establish model institutions have not always achieved expected outcomes due to weak management, teacher shortages, and quality gaps. They recommend evaluating past experiences and ensuring sustainable operational planning before launching such a large-scale project.
Associate Professor Muhammad Mahbub Morshed of Dhaka University said while the initiative is well-intentioned, its necessity and practicality should be carefully assessed. He emphasised that strengthening existing schools should remain a priority, with residential institutions established selectively based on actual need.
Experts further stress the importance of a coordinated, long-term education strategy to ensure optimal use of limited public resources and maximise impact across the sector.