170M population. Only 1 CBSE school in the entire country. Massive white space for Indian curriculum as Bangladeshi families increasingly seek Indian university pathways. 100% FDI allowed via BIDA.
Bangladesh is a greenfield CBSE market — only 1 school (India International School, Dhaka) serves a country of 170 million. The demand driver is not primarily the Indian diaspora (~10,000 NRIs) but the rapidly growing Bangladeshi middle class seeking Indian university pathways (IIT, NEET, AIIMS). Over 15,000 Bangladeshi students already study in India annually. CBSE provides the most direct pathway.
Only 1 CBSE school in a 170M country. India International School (IIS), Dhaka, operates primarily for diplomatic families. No private commercial CBSE school exists. Compare: Nepal has 16, UAE has 120+. Bangladesh is the most undersupplied CBSE market in South Asia relative to its proximity to India.
Over 15,000 Bangladeshi students study in India annually — primarily engineering (JEE pathway) and medical (NEET pathway). CBSE board exams are directly accepted by Indian universities without equivalency friction. This creates a natural demand funnel: Bangladeshi families choose CBSE to access IIT, AIIMS, and top Indian colleges.
Bangladesh's GDP has grown 6-7% annually for the past decade. Per-capita income has crossed USD 2,800. The English-medium school market in Dhaka charges BDT 50K-500K/year. IB schools charge USD 3,500-32,000. CBSE can position between Bangladeshi English-medium and premium IB — a sweet spot at BDT 100K-350K.
Bangladesh allows 100% foreign ownership. Foreign Private Investment Act 1980 guarantees against expropriation and ensures profit repatriation. BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) provides one-stop service. Company registration via RJSC. Double taxation treaty with India exists.
Private schools require registration with the Ministry of Education and relevant Directorate (DSHE — Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education). English-medium and international curriculum schools operate under a separate framework. Submit: building safety certificate, curriculum proposal, teacher qualifications, financial viability proof.
Bangla language is compulsory in all schools including foreign-curriculum schools. Bangladesh Studies is also required. Islamic Studies mandatory for Muslim students (alternatives for non-Muslims). CBSE schools must integrate Bangla + Bangladesh Studies alongside NCERT curriculum.
Register with BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) for foreign investment. Company incorporation via RJSC (Registrar of Joint Stock Companies). Open corporate bank account. Work permits for foreign teachers via Ministry of Home Affairs. Timeline: 3-6 months for BIDA + RJSC.
Apply via SARAS portal (windows: Mar, Jun, Sep). Requires: Indian High Commission NOC (High Commission of India, Dhaka), Bangladesh MoE approval, management self-certificate. Fees: INR 1,25,000 (Secondary) or INR 75,000 (Sr. Secondary upgrade).
CBSE mandates: 6,000 sqm land minimum, classrooms 8m×6m, science labs 9m×6m each, library 14m×8m, computer lab, CCTV, fire safety, accessibility ramps. Bangladesh building codes add seismic standards (critical in earthquake-prone zones).
India-Bangladesh relations have periodic fluctuations. Anti-India sentiment in Bangladeshi politics can create challenges for Indian-branded schools. Strategy: Position as "International CBSE School" rather than "Indian School." Use neutral branding. Partner with local Bangladeshi educationists. The July-August 2024 political upheaval underscores the need for local partnership insulation.
| Segment | Annual Fee (BDT) | USD Equivalent | Target Demographic | Positioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget CBSE | BDT 100,000–180,000 | $850–1,530 | Lower-middle-class seeking IIT/NEET | High-volume; Mirpur, Uttara |
| Mid-Market | BDT 180,000–300,000 | $1,530–2,550 | Professional families, Dhaka metro | Modern campus, IIT/NEET coaching |
| Premium | BDT 300,000–500,000 | $2,550–4,250 | Business elite, NRIs, expats | International-grade; Gulshan/Bashundhara |
| Role | Monthly Salary (BDT) | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Teacher | BDT 30,000–50,000 | $255–425 | B.Ed.; Bangladeshi or Indian |
| Secondary Teacher | BDT 50,000–80,000 | $425–680 | Subject specialists; STEM premium |
| Bangla Teacher | BDT 30,000–55,000 | $255–470 | Bangladeshi citizen (mandatory) |
| Principal / HoS | BDT 150,000–300,000 | $1,275–2,550 | Indian principal possible; work permit needed |
| Admin / Support | BDT 15,000–30,000 | $128–255 | Local Bangladeshi staff |
| Parameter | Benchmark | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Cost (Dhaka) | BDT 3,500–7,000/sqft | USD 30–60; premium in Gulshan |
| Construction Cost (Outside Dhaka) | BDT 2,500–5,000/sqft | USD 21–43; Chittagong, Sylhet |
| BUA per Student | 8–10 sqm | CBSE norms + Bangladesh building code |
| Minimum Land Area | 6,000 sqm (CBSE) | Land extremely scarce in Dhaka core |
| Land Cost (Dhaka) | BDT 5–50 lakh/katha | Lease recommended; 15-30 year terms |
| Land Cost (Chittagong) | BDT 2–15 lakh/katha | More available than Dhaka |
| FF&E per Student | BDT 40,000–60,000 | Furniture, IT, lab equipment |
| Optimal Capacity | 1,500–3,000 | Volume needed at mid-tier fees |
Model steady-state economics (Year 4+). All figures in BDT.
Dhaka (22M+ metro population) is the only viable first-mover location. The diplomatic/expat corridor (Gulshan-Banani-Baridhara) and growing residential areas (Uttara, Bashundhara) concentrate target families.
Diplomatic Zone • Premium
Highest concentration of Indian High Commission families, expats, and business elite. Premium positioning BDT 300K-500K. Land extremely expensive — lease required. Near India International School. IB schools (ISD, AISD) charge USD 3,500-32,000 here.
Planned Residential • Mid-Premium
Purpose-built residential area in northeast Dhaka. International School Dhaka (ISD) is located here. Growing upper-middle-class population. More land availability than Gulshan. Mid-to-premium positioning viable.
Growing Suburb • Budget-Mid
Northern Dhaka suburb near airport. Rapidly growing middle class. More affordable land. Budget-to-mid tier positioning (BDT 100K-250K). Good connectivity via metro rail. High density of English-medium school demand.
Port City • Zero CBSE • Underserved
Zero CBSE schools. Bangladesh's second-largest city (5M+). Port city with Indian business community. Growing middle class. Industrial corridor. Lower CapEx than Dhaka. White space for first-mover CBSE.
| School | Board | Location | Fees (USD/yr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India International School (IIS) | CBSE | Dhanmondi, Dhaka | ~$800-2,000 | Only CBSE school; Indian High Commission linked |
| International School Dhaka (ISD) | IB (PYP/MYP/DP) | Bashundhara, Dhaka | $3,500-24,200 | Premium IB; CIS + NEASC accredited |
| American International School (AISD) | American/IB | Baridhara, Dhaka | $17,670-32,080 | Ultra-premium; NEASC accredited |
| Bangladesh Intl. School & College (BISC) | Cambridge | Dhaka | $17,000-34,250 | Bangladesh Army-managed |
| Oxford International School | Cambridge | Dhanmondi, Dhaka | Varies | Cambridge O/A Levels |
| English-Medium Schools (multiple) | Bangla National | Dhaka-wide | $400-2,100 | Local English-medium; BDT 50K-250K |
IB/American schools charge USD 3,500-32,000 — out of reach for 95% of Bangladeshi families. Local English-medium schools at BDT 50K-250K lack international recognition. CBSE at BDT 100K-350K fills the gap: internationally recognized board, direct pathway to Indian universities (IIT, NEET, AIIMS), at 1/10th the cost of IB. Target: upper-middle-class families with aspirations for Indian higher education.
| Parameter | Bangladesh | Nepal | Sri Lanka | Maldives | Bhutan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170M | 30M | 22M | 0.5M | 0.8M |
| CBSE Schools | 1 | 16 | 0-1 | 0 | 0 |
| Indian Diaspora | ~10K | 500K+ | 14K NRI | ~25K | ~60K |
| Corporate Tax | 27.5% | 25% | 30% | 15% | 30% |
| VAT | 15% (edu exempt) | 13% | 18% | 8% | 7% |
| FDI | 100% | 100% | Limited | Positive list | Negative list |
| Demand Driver | Bangladeshi families | Dual (Indian+Nepali) | Tamil diaspora | Indian workers | Indian workers |
| Market Size | Very Large | Medium | Small | Micro | Micro |
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Only 1 — India International School (IIS), Dhanmondi, Dhaka. It operates under the Indian High Commission and primarily serves diplomatic families. No private commercial CBSE school exists in Bangladesh. This makes Bangladesh the most undersupplied CBSE market in South Asia relative to its population (170M).
IB schools: USD 3,500-32,000/year. Cambridge schools: USD 17,000-34,000. Local English-medium: BDT 50,000-250,000 (USD 425-2,125). CBSE sweet spot: BDT 100,000-350,000 (USD 850-3,000) — internationally recognized at a fraction of IB cost.
Yes. Foreign Private Investment Act 1980 allows 100% foreign ownership. Register via BIDA (one-stop service). Incorporate via RJSC. FPIA protects against expropriation, guarantees profit repatriation. Double taxation treaty with India exists. Timeline: 3-6 months for full registration.
CIT: 27.5% for non-listed companies, 20% for listed. VAT: 15% standard but education services are exempt. Minimum tax: 0.6% of gross receipts even in loss years. Personal income tax: progressive up to 30%. No capital gains tax on education assets. India-Bangladesh DTAA available.
Yes — unlike Nepal (open border), Bangladesh requires work permits for Indian nationals. Processing via Ministry of Home Affairs. Timeline: 3-6 months. Engage Bangladeshi partner/local HR agency to expedite. Budget for visa costs and processing time.
Bangla language, Bangladesh Studies, and Islamic Studies (for Muslim students) are compulsory in all schools. CBSE schools must integrate these alongside NCERT curriculum. Bangla teachers must be Bangladeshi citizens.
Dhaka first: Gulshan/Baridhara (premium), Bashundhara (mid-premium), Uttara (budget-mid). Second market: Chittagong (port city, zero CBSE, Indian business community). Land in Dhaka is extremely scarce and expensive — 15-30 year leases recommended over purchase.
15,000+ Bangladeshis already study in India annually. CBSE Class 10/12 boards are directly accepted by IIT (JEE), NEET (medical), and all Indian universities without equivalency friction. At BDT 100K-350K, CBSE costs 1/10th of IB but provides similar international recognition for India-bound students. The JEE/NEET coaching ecosystem integrates naturally with CBSE curriculum.