Sheikh Hasina Gave Students Books and Hope - The Interim Government Took Both Away

“Education is the backbone of a nation, and no child should be denied the light of knowledge.”

These words from Sheikh Hasina were not mere rhetoric; they became a national mission. For 16 years, she turned education into the heart of Bangladesh’s transformation. Each New Year’s Day, millions of children opened brand-new textbooks, free of cost, a gift from a leader who believed the nation’s future was written in the hands of its students. It wasn’t just policy; it was promise, equality, and vision in action.

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Today, that promise is being betrayed. Under the Yunus-led interim government, Bangladesh’s proud tradition of textbook distribution has collapsed. Millions of students wait helplessly, schools stand silent, and hope turns into frustration. What Sheikh Hasina built over years of dedication is being dismantled in mere months, not by accident, but by apathy and arrogance.

Sheikh Hasina’s Education Legacy: Visionary Leadership for Education

Sheikh Hasina’s vision for Bangladesh went beyond political power; it was about creating a future-ready nation. She understood that a country’s strength lies in its educated citizens, and she made education the centerpiece of her development agenda. Her government focused on expanding access, improving quality, and ensuring equity across all levels of schooling.

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Among her landmark achievements was the nationwide free textbook program, reaching over 40 million students annually. This initiative was designed not just to provide books, but to level the playing field , ensuring that children from rural, poor, or marginalized communities had the same opportunities as those in urban centers. Textbooks were also made available in five indigenous languages and in Braille, demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity.

Beyond textbooks, Sheikh Hasina invested heavily in teacher training, school infrastructure, and digital classrooms. Programs under her leadership promoted girls’ education, bridging gender gaps and empowering young women to dream bigger. She emphasized learning that is engaging, skill-oriented, and globally competitive, putting Bangladesh on the path to becoming a knowledge-based economy.

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Her administration’s dedication transformed education from a basic service into a national movement , a testament to her belief that investing in children is the most enduring way to invest in the country. Under Sheikh Hasina, education became a tool of empowerment, equality, and opportunity for millions.

Destroying the Legacy: A Nation’s Progress at Risk

However, the Yunus-led interim government isn’t too keen on an educated nation. The solid foundation Sheikh Hasina built over 16 years, where every child had access to books, teachers, and opportunity, is now being dismantled piece by piece. Administrative paralysis, poor planning, and lack of urgency have thrown the education sector into chaos. Textbook printing and distribution are severely delayed, leaving millions of students uncertain about when their academic year will truly begin.

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This breakdown has gone beyond logistics; it has begun to erode learning outcomes. Under the interim regime, Bangladesh has witnessed a dramatic plunge in both SSC and HSC pass rates, reaching their lowest levels in nearly two decades. According to recent education board data, the SSC pass rate dropped to a 16-year low, while the HSC results show a sharp fall, exposing how weak management, demotivated teachers, and policy confusion have affected students’ performance nationwide.

SSC pass rate plunges to a 16-year low

HSC pass rate falls to 58.83%, the lowest in two decades

The crisis isn’t accidental; it’s the result of a government that has lost sight of education as a national priority. Programs focused on teacher development, digital classrooms, and curriculum modernization, once central to Sheikh Hasina’s vision, have stalled. Meanwhile, new policies are marked by confusion, inconsistency, and political interference.

Where Hasina’s leadership inspired progress, the interim government has sown instability. The rising failure rates, delayed textbooks, and widespread uncertainty are not isolated problems; they are the symptoms of a system abandoned by those who should protect it. If left unchecked, this negligence could undo decades of advancement and rob millions of Bangladeshi students of the future Sheikh Hasina worked so hard to secure.