Students Demand Dedicated Budget for AI and Technology Education in National Education Allocation

Students have called for a dedicated allocation in the national education budget to promote artificial intelligence (AI), coding, data science, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education from the secondary level, emphasizing the need for digital infrastructure development to keep Bangladesh's education system competitive in the global arena.

The demand was raised by the Education Rights Parliament (Shikkha Odhikar Sangsad) during a press conference held on Friday at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital. The organization presented a 12-point recommendation package focused on technology-driven modernization of the country's education system.

The press conference was organized to unveil the findings of a survey titled "National Budget 2026-27: Allocation and Implementation in the Education Sector—Students’ Opinions and Expectations."

Presenting the survey findings, Md. Shahnewaz Khan Chandan, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Education and Research of Jagannath University and Member Secretary of the Education Rights Parliament, said the report was prepared based on the opinions of 350 students from 17 public universities, nine private universities, and several other higher education institutions across the country.

According to the survey, 62.3 percent of respondents expect at least 5 percent of GDP to be allocated to the education sector. However, students identified corruption and misuse of funds as the biggest obstacles to effective budget implementation, with 67.7 percent citing these issues. Another 50.6 percent blamed political and administrative interference for limiting the effectiveness of educational investments.

The survey findings revealed that students consider increased state investment in research, innovation, and laboratory development essential for enhancing Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global knowledge economy. More than half of the respondents identified primary education as the foundation of human resource development and called for increased investment at that level. Meanwhile, nearly one-fourth of the participants advocated for balanced budget allocations across all levels of education rather than prioritizing any specific segment.

Among the key recommendations submitted to the government were legally ensuring education allocations equivalent to 5-6 percent of GDP, establishing a National Teacher Recruitment Commission (NTC) to depoliticize teacher recruitment, introducing a separate salary structure for teachers, and creating a mandatory professional development fund.

The students also recommended modernization of technical and vocational education, introduction of a special regional education allowance for teachers working in remote char and hill tract areas, implementation of a digital procurement and audit system for monitoring education expenditures, and formation of a National Education Planning Commission to guide long-term policy development.

The organization emphasized that investment in technology-focused education and digital infrastructure is no longer optional but essential for preparing the next generation for an increasingly AI-driven global economy.

//DBITECH/SI/EK//