Table 1 Chronological summary of English in education policies

1974 Bangladesh Education Commission

English language is given priority as a foreign language, to be taught from class 6.

General emphasis on the English language.

1976 English Teaching Taskforce Commission

English language to be taught either in class 3 or class 6, subject to availability of English teachers.

1988 Bangladesh National Education Commission

Grade 3 suggested as a recommended starting point for English language education.

Grade 6 suggested as a uniform starting point for English language education.

1991 National Curriculum Committee

English language education introduced in class 3.

English language was introduced as a compulsory subject in class 1 (1992).

2000 National Education Policy

English language set as a medium of instruction for kindergartens.

Curriculum and all text material used in kindergarten translated into English.

Introduction of English language as an extra subject from class 1 to 2 and as a compulsory subject from class 3

Along with Bengali, English language could be a medium of instruction from the secondary level (class 7).

Emphasis on English language as a medium of the instruction at the tertiary level.

2003 National Education Commission

Re-emphasis on English language learning from the primary level.

One objective of primary education to acquaint learners to English language skills as a foreign language.

Emphasis on rebuilding the overall English language curriculum.

Emphasis on organising foreign training for trainers of Primary Teachers Institute (PTI) and National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE) and local training for all secondary school teachers to improve English education.

Emphasis on introducing a 6-month English language course at the tertiary level.

2010 National Education Policy

English language was recognised as an essential tool to building a knowledge-based society.

Emphasis on English language writing and speaking from the very beginning of primary education.

English language to be set as compulsory subject adopted in all streams from the secondary level.

English language as a medium of instruction could be introduced from the secondary level.

Emphasis on appointing adequate number of English language teachers at the secondary level.

English language to be a compulsory subject in all colleges and universities.

English language (along with Bengali) to be the mediums of instruction at the tertiary level.

Emphasis on the need to translate books written in English to Bengali.