PM Tarique Rahman: 5th Primary Education Program Starts July 1

The five-year Fifth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP-5) will begin on July 1, with a focus on improving teaching quality, including English training for remaining primary school teachers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made the announcement during a question-and-answer session in Parliament on Wednesday (April 15), as the first session of the 13th Parliament resumed after a four-day adjournment.

Responding to a question from Chittagong-7 MP Hummam Quader Chowdhury, the Prime Minister said the government plans to bring all primary school teachers under a special training programme. The aim is to improve teaching quality and efficiency, particularly in English.

He said there are currently 376,499 primary school teachers in the country. Of them, about 130,000 have already received English training under the ongoing Fourth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP-4). The remaining teachers will be trained under the new programme.

In response to another question from Barguna-2 MP Md. Nurul Islam, the Prime Minister addressed the issue of forming a separate Ministry of Coastal Affairs.

He said the government is prioritising the development of the blue economy and the sustainable use of marine resources, as outlined in the ruling party’s election manifesto. He also noted that the Coastal Zone Policy 2005, introduced during a previous administration, remains an important framework for coastal development and protection.

The government is currently considering the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) programme. A decision on creating a dedicated institutional framework, if needed, may be taken in the 2026–27 fiscal year to ensure balanced and sustainable development of marine resources, fisheries, tourism and environmental conservation.