Women to Get Free Education Up to Honours Level: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that the government will provide free education for women up to the honours level, with all associated expenses to be covered by the state.

He made the announcement on Sunday while speaking to local residents during a programme marking National Fisheries Week 2026 at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat in Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj.

Tarique said women make up half of the country’s population and that Bangladesh cannot progress if women are left behind.

“When Begum Khaleda Zia was in office, she introduced free education for girls up to the higher secondary level. Following that initiative, the present government has decided to make education free for women up to the honours level,” he said.

He urged female students to study attentively and prepare themselves to take greater responsibility in the country’s future. The government will also provide scholarships to female students who achieve good academic results, he added.

The prime minister also announced plans to provide school uniforms and bags to children from poor families across the country. He said the government aims to distribute school uniforms once a year to primary school students and provide school bags to around 12 million children, alongside the annual distribution of textbooks.

Tarique also spoke about empowering women economically. He said the government had pledged before the election to gradually introduce Family Cards for women who head and manage households.

“By the grace of Allah, work on the Family Card has already begun. The card will be gradually delivered to every household across the country over the next five years,” he said.

The Family Card programme was also inaugurated in Kishoreganj as part of the initiative.

Speaking about the release of fish fry into the Old Brahmaputra River, Tarique said the benefits of restoring fish stocks would ultimately go to the people of Bangladesh.

“If these fish grow, reproduce and spread into canals and wetlands, who will benefit? The people of London or Japan? The people of Bangladesh will benefit,” he said.

Earlier, the prime minister released fish fry into the Old Brahmaputra River and exchanged greetings with local residents. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Kishoreganj BNP president and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam, fishermen and local dignitaries were also present at the event.