Rewiring Bangladesh's education: Is EdTech the answer?

In 2021, after 16 years in the UK, I returned to Bangladesh with a mission: to address the country's entrenched education challenges using technology. Shikho was born from the belief that high-quality education should be accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few. However, the deeper we ventured, the clearer it became that systemic issues—underfunding, inefficiency, and outdated methods—had left Bangladesh’s education system in crisis. While technology can be part of the solution, true reform requires a fundamental shift in how education is approached and a deeper understanding of EdTech’s potential.

A Framework for Education Reform

Addressing Bangladesh’s education crisis demands an integrated approach that connects curriculum design, teacher training, lesson delivery, and student outcomes. These elements are intertwined: an updated curriculum is ineffective without well-trained teachers, and teachers cannot succeed if they are underpaid and unsupported.

Pedagogy—the method of teaching—remains essential. Outdated teaching methods fail to engage students, no matter how well-designed the curriculum. Moving toward interactive, student-centered practices, paired with continuous professional development for teachers, is crucial. Only by reforming lesson delivery can students acquire the skills they need for modern learning environments.

Bangladesh must address all four elements simultaneously to build an education system that prepares students for local and global challenges.

Budget Realities and Education Underfunding

At the core of Bangladesh’s education crisis lies chronic underfunding. In fiscal 2025, the country allocated just 1.69% of GDP to education—well below the UNESCO-recommended 4-6%. This translates to BDT 94,711 crore ($8.9 billion), woefully insufficient for a nation where 85 million people are under 25. By comparison, India allocates 3-4% of GDP, underscoring Bangladesh's shortfall. Without substantial investment, critical issues—such as under-resourced schools, underpaid teachers, and an outdated curriculum—will persist, hampering the country’s ability to compete on the global stage.

Rethinking the Curriculum for a Modern Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s curriculum, rooted in rote learning, leaves students unprepared for critical thinking or problem-solving. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh performs poorly in global literacy and numeracy rankings. As the number of students and teachers has risen, the curriculum has been diluted—especially in STEM subjects—to accommodate less-trained educators. Earlier curriculums, particularly right after 1971, had greater depth and rigor.

The challenge is clear: how can Bangladesh expand access to education while maintaining quality? The curriculum must prioritize critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy without losing depth. However, updating the curriculum alone is insufficient—teachers must be adequately trained and equipped to deliver this modern content effectively.

The Teacher Dilemma

Once a prestigious profession, teaching the national curriculum in Bangladesh has lost much of its appeal. Today, primary and secondary school teachers typically earn between BDT 18,000 and 30,000 per month depending on seniority, barely enough to sustain a family, especially in urban areas. This has led many educators to supplement their income through private tuition and “batch” sessions, giving rise to a shadow education system. Underqualified teachers dominate this informal sector, which students rely on due to the lack of alternatives.

With a burgeoning youth population, the demand for quality education has never been higher. However, poor teacher recruitment and underfunded training programs leave educators unprepared. The low pay and diminished social status further demotivate them. Instead of expanding the workforce, the focus should be on fewer but better-paid, highly trained teachers who can restore the profession’s prestige and deliver quality education.

The Role of Education Technology

EdTech presents a transformative solution, addressing every aspect of the education cycle—curriculum design, teacher training, lesson delivery, and student outcomes.

Curriculum Enhancement

EdTech allows expert teachers to deliver lessons remotely, providing equal access to high-quality education for students in rural and urban areas alike. The digitization of textbooks into engaging videos, animations, and multimedia content enriches the learning experience. Moreover, gamification—through interactive challenges, quizzes, and rewards—keeps students motivated, making learning more enjoyable and effective.

Teacher Training

EdTech’s infrastructure isn't just for students; it's also crucial for teacher development. Online platforms enable teachers to access continuous professional development regardless of location, leveling the playing field between urban and rural educators. Additionally, AI-driven tools offer real-time feedback and analytics, personalizing development for teachers and highlighting areas for improvement, ensuring continuous growth.

Lesson Delivery

Digital platforms centralize and standardize lesson delivery, reducing dependence on physical materials and lowering costs. AI tools automate administrative tasks like grading and attendance, freeing teachers to focus on personalized instruction, particularly in resource-constrained classrooms. Real-time data analytics provide insights into student performance, allowing teachers to adjust lessons dynamically to meet individual needs.

Student Outcomes EdTech boosts student outcomes by personalizing the learning experience. AI-powered adaptive tools adjust the pace and content to each student's needs, closing learning gaps. Real-time tracking ensures immediate intervention when students struggle, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills that prepare them for both local and global contexts.

Policy Initiatives and Economic Realities

None of these reforms are possible without clear policy initiatives prioritizing technology in schools. Bangladesh must make an upfront investment in digital infrastructure, including technology platforms, school equipment, and affordable internet access for students. While this requires capital, the long-term benefits are clear: once established, ongoing operating costs can be dramatically reduced. Centralized lesson delivery, remote teacher training, and administrative automation can all streamline costs while improving student outcomes.

This is not just an education strategy—it’s an economic necessity. Bangladesh lacks the resources to sustain traditional education methods at the scale required for its growing population. By embedding technology throughout the system, the country can maximize its limited resources and ensure that every student, regardless of background, receives a high-quality education.

A Path Forward

Under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh has a rare opportunity to address its education challenges head-on. The path forward requires increasing the education budget to at least 4% of GDP, with a focus on teacher pay, training, and digital infrastructure. Simultaneously, the curriculum must be updated to prepare students for both local and global demands.

Discussions at the United Nations General Assembly this week highlight the urgency of these reforms. Themes such as building future schools with digital ecosystems and leveraging AI for personalized learning are directly applicable to Bangladesh. Global initiatives like the Global Digital Compact emphasize the importance of digital inclusion and equitable access across rural and urban areas. These align perfectly with Bangladesh’s need to incorporate EdTech, bridge the digital divide, and address disparities in access.

By embracing EdTech and pursuing systemic reforms, Bangladesh can finally break free from its cycle of underinvestment and inefficiency. The question remains: will the country seize this moment to invest in its future, or will it risk leaving another generation behind?