Bangladesh (BD)

Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.

Capital: Dhaka

Region: Asia

Language: Bengali

Currency: BDT (৳)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 15)

Emergency: 999

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Bangladesh.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Private daycare BDT 15,000–60,000 in Dhaka

Age: 6 months–5 years

No federal or municipal childcare subsidy for private daycare. Some NGO-run crèches serve lower-income families. Expat employers often include childcare allowances in relocation packages — confirm with HR.

Visit centres in person to check hygiene, security, staff-to-child ratio, and emergency procedures. Submit child records (birth certificate, vaccination card), parent IDs, and pay a registration deposit.

⏱️ Gulshan, Banani, and Dhanmondi centres fill quickly, especially for infant slots. Apply before the child turns 3 months old. School-attached daycare at international schools offers continuity into preschool.

Preschool / playgroup BDT 10,000–50,000

Age: 2–5 years

No government subsidy for private preschool. Government-run pre-primary classes exist attached to some primary schools but are limited and Bengali-medium.

Submit application with birth certificate, vaccination record, and family photographs. Most schools conduct a brief observation/play session rather than a formal test. Non-refundable admission and activity fees are common.

⏱️ Apply 3–6 months ahead for places at established playgroups in Gulshan and Dhanmondi. International school pre-primary sections may have shorter waits but require full-year commitment.

Nanny / domestic helper BDT 12,000–40,000+

Age: All ages

No government subsidy. Employer-provided or self-funded.

Verify national ID, request references and cross-check them, define duties, hours, leave, and Eid bonus in a written agreement. For live-in helpers, confirm accommodation, meals, and rest-day arrangements.

⏱️ Trusted referrals from expat networks, embassy contacts, or international school parent groups are the most reliable route. Avoid placing adverts without a vetting process.

🏫 Schools

Public primary school Free

Government Primary School (সরকারি প্রাথমিক বিদ্যালয়)

Ages: 6–10 (Class 1–5) · Language: Bengali

For 2026, admission to government primary schools is digital and lottery-based (no tests); applications are submitted via gsa.teletalk.com.bd in the November–December cycle. Foreign children require a passport, valid visa, and proof of address; contact the local school directly for mid-year transfers.

Primary (Class 1–5) is free and compulsory. The government has announced an extension of free compulsory schooling to Class 8 (covering junior secondary, ages approximately 11–13) — verify the current implementation status at mopme.gov.bd. Most expat families choose private or international schools because of language and curriculum differences.

Public/private secondary school Paid

Secondary School (মাধ্যমিক বিদ্যালয়)

Ages: 11–17 (Class 6–12) · Language: Bengali or English-medium depending on school

Admissions tests, academic transcripts, transfer certificates, and fee payment. For international and English-medium private schools, apply 6–12 months ahead. Foreign transcripts typically need to be apostilled and may require a Bangladesh education board equivalency assessment.

The secondary cycle covers Junior Secondary (Class 6–8), Secondary (Class 9–10 culminating in the SSC/Board exam), and Higher Secondary (Class 11–12, HSC exam). English-medium schools follow Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel, A Level, or IB pathways and charge fees. Public schools charge nominal fees at this level.

International Schools

Dhaka has an established international school sector concentrated in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, and Dhanmondi. Key schools include International School Dhaka (ISD — US curriculum with IB Diploma), American International School Dhaka (AISD), Australian International School Dhaka, Scholastica (Cambridge IGCSE/A Level), and several Francophone and other English-medium options. AISD 2026-27 verified fees: KG1-KG3 BDT 654,340/year; Grades 1-5 BDT 967,600; Grades 6-8 BDT 1,332,680; DP1-DP2 BDT 1,828,880 (USD equivalent approximately $5,500–15,200 at BDT ~120/USD — confirm current rate). Apply 6–12 months ahead; Gulshan-zone schools have waiting lists. Budget separately for activity, transport, and capital development fees.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities (University of Dhaka, BUET, Rajshahi University, BRAC University) are low-cost for Bangladeshi-resident students (BDT 5,000–30,000/year) but are highly competitive via admission tests. Private universities vary widely: BDT 200,000–1,000,000+ per year. North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University Bangladesh are the most internationally recognised private institutions.

Semester fee

Institution and programme dependent. Private universities charge per semester including lab, IT, and activity fees. Public university semester charges are minimal. No semester transport-ticket system exists.

Student visa

Foreign students need an appropriate student visa or residence permission sponsored by the host institution. Apply at a Bangladesh embassy or high commission before travel with the admission letter, proof of funds, and medical documents. Renew annually with the institution's support letter.

Health insurance

Private international health insurance is strongly recommended; no comprehensive public scheme covers international students. Most private universities require proof of insurance at enrolment.

Application process

Apply directly to each university with academic transcripts, passport, visa, photographs, and bank statements. Public universities run institution-specific admission tests; there is no single national portal for all universities. Foreign credentials may require equivalency confirmation from the University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh.

🗣️ Language Courses

Bangla (Bengali) language tutoring

Provider: Private tutors / language centres / cultural organisations · Duration: Flexible — from single sessions to term-based courses · Levels: Beginner to conversational

BDT 800–3,000 per hour (private); group courses BDT 5,000–25,000

The most practical investment for daily life: communicating with drivers, landlords, market vendors, and government offices. No mandatory language integration programme exists for foreign residents in Bangladesh.

University and cultural centre Bangla courses

Provider: University of Dhaka Department of Bangla, selected cultural centres · Duration: Semester-based or intensive modules · Levels: Beginner to advanced

Varies; often BDT 5,000–25,000 per term

More structured than private tutoring; useful for those who wish to develop reading and writing alongside spoken skills.

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