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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged US$150 million in concessional financing to bolster Bangladesh’s technical and vocational education sector, officials from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) confirmed on Saturday.

The funding will support the TVET Teachers for Future (TTF) programme, aimed at modernising and expanding the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system through improved teacher training and infrastructure development.

Under the initiative, at least 10,000 TVET teachers across the country will receive enhanced pedagogical and technical training by 2030, with a particular focus on instructors based outside the capital.

“The programme’s strength lies in targeting TVET teachers in rural areas, where quality training has long been lacking,” said a senior ERD official. “Modern and time-relevant training is essential for building a technically skilled workforce.”

National Infrastructure Push

The Department of Technical Education (DoTE) will implement the programme, which includes establishing two new TVET Teacher Training Colleges (TTTCs) in Chattogram and Khulna, expanding existing facilities in Dhaka and Bogura, and upgrading seven polytechnic institutes across the country.

A 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) training centre will also be established in Dhaka to equip teachers with skills in emerging technologies.

The upgraded infrastructure will accommodate 1,000 training seats and 1,000 residential beds, with 25 per cent of the accommodation reserved for female teachers. Enhanced management of construction, equipment utilisation, and operations and maintenance will be integral to the project.

Loan Terms and Multilateral Backing

The loan agreement with ADB—scheduled to be signed on Sunday—offers a 2.0 per cent interest rate and a 25-year repayment term.

The TTF programme is part of Bangladesh’s broader Integrated TVET Development Action Plan (ITDAP), aligned with Vision 2041 and the 8th Five Year Plan, which aim to create an inclusive and industry-aligned technical education system.

According to ADB, the programme will:

• Expand access to modern and inclusive TVET teacher training;
• Enhance pedagogical and technical expertise in modern and emerging technologies;
• Improve systems for teacher development, management, and reporting.

“The TTF initiative will benefit 10,000 new and existing teachers and establish a sustainable system for continuous professional development,” ADB said in a statement.

$5 Billion Roadmap for TVET Reform

The government has estimated a total cost of US$5.0 billion to implement the ITDAP by 2030. While the bulk—approximately $4.43 billion—will come from domestic resources, several international development partners have pledged support.

Confirmed and potential contributions include:

• European Union (EU): $112.6 million
• World Bank: $300 million
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA): $8.5 million
• Global Affairs Canada: $15.5 million
• International Labour Organization (ILO): $0.5 million

With these collaborations, the government hopes to transform the TVET ecosystem and meet the country’s future industrial and technological workforce demands.