Bangladesh’s free government primary schools lost over 8 lakh students in 2023 as parents increasingly choose fee-charging private kindergartens. A BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) study reveals the core issue is ineffective monitoring and weak local governance. School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) are failing to hold teachers accountable, leading to absenteeism and poor personalized care. In contrast, private schools succeed through direct owner supervision and strong, responsive parental engagement. Urgent reform of public school accountability is needed to ensure quality education remains accessible to all.
Bangladesh’s free government primary schools lost over 8 lakh students in 2023 as parents increasingly choose fee-charging private kindergartens. A BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) study reveals the core issue is ineffective monitoring and weak local governance. School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) are failing to hold teachers accountable, leading to absenteeism and poor personalized care. In contrast, private schools succeed through direct owner supervision and strong, responsive parental engagement. Urgent reform of public school accountability is needed to ensure quality education remains accessible to all.
