Govt to make honours education free for women: PM

The government has decided to provide women with free education up to the honours level as part of efforts to broaden their access to higher education, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Sunday. Speaking at an event in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, he said the state would bear all associated costs and introduce scholarships for female students who achieve strong academic results.

Addressing a gathering at Mirzapur Chairman Bari Ghat in Pakundia upazila during National Fisheries Week 2026, the prime minister said former prime minister Khaleda Zia had introduced free education for girls up to the intermediate level during her tenure. As women constitute half of the country's population, he said Bangladesh could not advance while leaving a substantial segment of society behind. He urged female students to devote themselves to their studies so they could eventually take responsibility for the country's future.

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Tarique also outlined several initiatives aimed at supporting children and empowering women. The government plans to provide school uniforms annually to children from low-income families attending primary schools in rural areas, while around 12 million children will receive school bags. He said the government also intends to strengthen women's economic self-reliance through the Family Card programme, under which cards will gradually be distributed to women who head and manage their households. He expressed hope that every household would receive a Family Card within the next five years.