By Tapashi Rabeya Akhi

DHAKA, June 8, 2026 (BSS) - The government has embarked on a prograame to ensure fully free education for all poor students with disabilities nationwide, with implementation expected within a year. 
 
As part of short-term measures to be implemented within one year, the government has decided to provide free education to all poor students with disabilities, recruit Assistant Teachers (ICT), Assistant Teachers (Hindu Religion), and Assistant Teacher-Librarians in all government secondary schools, and create websites for private educational institutions using government domains.

These proposals were submitted by the Deputy Commissioners of Barishal, Faridpur, and Barguna at the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference held on May 3. 

The proposal to introduce free education for poor students with disabilities came from the Deputy Commissioner of Barishal.

Recently, the Cabinet Division sent a letter to the Education Secretary directing effective steps to implement these decisions.
 
The Cabinet Division has instructed the implementation of a total of 12 decisions categorized as short-term (implementable within one year), medium-term (within three years), and long-term (within five years).

Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khan, Joint Secretary of the Cabinet Division, told BSS that several proposals are submitted every year at the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference. 

Based on their importance, the government adopts short-, medium-, and long-term plans, he said adding that work has already begun on implementing several important decisions this year.
 
Twelve decisions related to the Secondary and Higher Education Division were adopted at this year’s conference, and the Cabinet Division has sent letters to the relevant ministries for implementation.

Under the educational stipend program operated by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare, around 81,000 poor and disadvantaged students with disabilities currently receive regular stipends.
 
Students receive Tk 900 at the primary level, Tk 950 at the secondary and higher secondary levels, and Tk 1,300 at the higher education level. 

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) National Survey of Persons with Disabilities, the educational participation rates of students with disabilities aged 5–24 are 53 percent at the primary level, 37.47 pc at the secondary level, and 9.51pc at the higher education level.

As a medium-term measure to be implemented within the next three years, the government has decided to establish a separate Directorate of Secondary Education.

This proposal was put forward by the Deputy Commissioners of Jamalpur and Mymensingh. 

It has also been proposed that agro-based subjects be included when academic activities begin at Naogaon University, a recommendation made by the Deputy Commissioner of Naogaon. 

In addition, the Deputy Commissioner of Pirojpur has called for revisions to the definition of “Public Examination” in Section 2 and the penalties outlined in Sections 8 and 9 of The Public Examinations (Offences) Act, 1980.

Among the long-term decisions to be implemented within five years, the government will take initiatives to construct multi-story administrative and academic buildings at newly nationalized secondary schools and colleges in Rajbari District, following a proposal from the district’s Deputy Commissioner. 

Other proposals include establishing a government university in Faridpur District, creating a permanent campus for a Science and Technology University in Pirojpur, establishing a full-fledged university in Nilphamari District, setting up an agricultural college in Bogura District, and constructing a secondary school on Nijhum Dwip under Hatiya Upazila in Noakhali District.

Md. Mamun, Deputy Secretary of the Field Administration Wing of the Cabinet Division, told BSS that BG Press is preparing a book containing the development initiatives discussed at the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference, which will be distributed to the relevant stakeholders.
 
He added that all ministry secretaries have been informed of their responsibilities through official letters and have been instructed to submit monthly progress reports on the implementation of decisions to the Cabinet Division’s Field Administration Branch by the 10th of each month.

The Deputy Commissioners’ Conference is held annually to coordinate the work of field-level administration and central policymakers. 

This year’s conference took place from May 3 to 6, 2026, at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital under the supervision of the Cabinet Division. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the conference, where policymakers and deputy commissioners discussed and made decisions on a total of 497 proposals during 34 sessions.