Public spending faces two major hurdles 鈥� a limited budget and inefficient use of funds. The results often do not keep pace because of fragmented efforts, money going missing and poor coordination between government agencies, writes Nasim Ahmed
BANGLADESH has come on in leaps and bounds. The country鈥檚 progress in tackling poverty, improving literacy, promoting gender equality and strengthening primary healthcare is genuinely impressive. But for all this success, enduring structural challenges still hold it back from sustaining and fairly sharing these gains.
The path to lasting change lies in a holistic approach, where three key pillars 鈥� education, health and public spending 鈥� are no longer treated as separate entities. While each has a part to play on its own, the real challenge and the true opportunity, is to align them so they reinforce each other. By bringing these areas together, Bangladesh can significantly improve its human capital, boost productivity and reduce inequality.
Education and health are inherently linked. A well-schooled population is more likely to make healthy choices, seek out quality medical care and even drive innovation in health technology. Conversely, a healthy population is better equipped to learn, work and start businesses. The bridge connecting these two pillars is public spending. How resources are allocated and used determines whether the benefits of education and health are accessible, fair and effective.
When public money for education is divorced from health priorities, the results can be frustratingly limited. For instance, putting more money into textbooks and teachers in rural schools will not matter much if the facilities lack proper loos, which can sadly reduce girls鈥� attendance. Similarly, health schemes like nutrition drives lose their oomph if schools don鈥檛 properly inform students about their benefits.
Bangladesh鈥檚 health sector has made great strides in reducing child mortality and maternal deaths. Yet, stubborn issues like unequal access, poor infrastructure and a growing number of non-communicable diseases still remain. Poor health is a massive drag on the workforce and educational achievement, ultimately holding back the economy.
Better coordination between education and public spending could help sort this out. For example, public investment in school-based health services 鈥� such as regular check-ups, nutritional supplements and mental health support 鈥� could both narrow health inequalities and boost students鈥� academic performance.
Unfortunately, public spending itself faces two major hurdles: a limited budget and inefficient use of funds. Even when social sector budgets get a significant bump, the results often do not keep pace because of fragmented efforts, money going missing and poor coordination between government agencies.
To fix this, there needs to be a fundamental shift from working in separate ministries to coordinated planning. Imagine the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health working together to develop school health programmes funded through a single, dedicated budget line.
Crucially, spending must also prioritise equity. Disadvantaged groups, such as rural women and low-income households, often face multiple disadvantages in both education and health. Targeted spending, conditional cash transfers and subsidies can ensure that resources reach those who need them most, getting the best possible return on investment.
The country鈥檚 leaders must recognise that each sector is part of a larger, interconnected system. When education, health, and public spending are coordinated, the combined benefits are far greater than the sum of their parts. This integrated approach leads to a healthier, more skilled workforce, ensures the poorest communities aren鈥檛 left behind, and empowers girls to stay in education. A well-schooled and healthy workforce drives innovation, while a focus on prevention over cure ensures long-term financial stability.
Of course, there are still plenty of obstacles: ministries operating in silos, a limited tax base and poor infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Corruption, inefficiency and external shocks like climate change also strain already limited resources.
To tackle these challenges head-on, Bangladesh needs a comprehensive strategy. This means creating inter-ministerial platforms to oversee joint programmes, using evidence-based planning to focus on high-impact interventions like school nutrition schemes and leveraging the private sector鈥檚 expertise in areas like telemedicine and e-learning. Finally, it is vital to broaden the tax base and direct more funds to health and education, ensuring that interventions are both fair and gender-sensitive.
Coordinating education, health and public spending is not just a good idea, it is essential for sustainable development. By adopting integrated planning and prioritising equity, Bangladesh can unlock the full potential of its people. This is the surest way for the country to become the prosperous, inclusive and resilient nation it aims to be.
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Dr Nasim Ahmed holds a PhD in public policy from Ulster University in the UK and works as associate professor at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management.