In the past, elders in primary schools often used to say, "He who studies well, rides in cars and carriages." In other words, those who study diligently will eventually secure good jobs and earn substantial incomes. Parents echoed the same sentiment.
With this dream in mind, many students advance from school and college to university. After years of hard work, they earn their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. However, at this point, their dreams often collide with a harsh reality. Despite months or even years of job searching, many fail to find success.
Frustrated, some begin to wonder, "Did our parents and elders give us false hope?" This is the stark reality faced by hundreds of thousands of highly educated young men and women in Bangladesh today.
Recent statistics reveal that the unemployment rate in the country has increased alarmingly over the past decade. The majority of the unemployed are, in fact, highly educated.
In 2010, the unemployment rate for those with undergraduate or postgraduate degrees was only 4.9 percent, but by 2023, it had surged to 31.50 percent. This grim scenario is not just a matter of numbers; it has become a significant threat to the country’s economic and social balance.
Many young people, disheartened by their inability to find jobs, fall into drug addiction or become involved in various criminal activities.
Due to financial hardships, some even resort to theft or extortion. According to experts, there are three primary reasons behind this high rate of unemployment among the educated population.
First, there is a significant gap between education and the job market. The skills and knowledge required in today’s job market are largely absent from the curricula of most universities in the country.
As a result, when students enter the job market, they lag behind due to a lack of relevant skills and experience.
Second, there is a lack of technical and vocational education. While in developed countries nearly 70 percent of students are engaged in technical education, in Bangladesh, this number is less than 9 percent.
This creates a shortage of skilled workers in the job market, even as the number of unemployed degree holders continues to rise.
Third, there is a lack of both quality education and quality employment opportunities. Many universities in the country currently face questions regarding the standard of higher education they provide.
Moreover, new job opportunities are not being created at a sufficient rate. The number of higher-educated youths entering the job market each year far exceeds the available job opportunities.
Consequently, these young people fail to find jobs that match their qualifications and remain unemployed for extended periods, leading to frustration.
It is true that solving the unemployment problem is a time-consuming process. However, to reduce the unemployment rate and curb the rise of unemployment among the highly educated, effective measures need to be taken urgently.
The first step should be bridging the gap between education and the job market. Curricula must be updated to reflect current needs, and more training opportunities should be provided based on job market demands.
Universities should establish close relationships with industries so that students can gain practical experience alongside their academic education.
In addition, students should be encouraged to pursue technical education instead of merely aiming for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.
Initiatives have already been taken to shorten the four-year honors course under the National University to three years, with the fourth year dedicated to diploma and technical education. If implemented effectively, this could significantly reduce the unemployment rate.
The current reality clearly shows that simply obtaining a degree does not guarantee a secure future. To overcome the unemployment crisis and ensure a better future for young people, we must focus on expanding technical education, improving the quality of higher education, and developing a job-oriented education system.
Without addressing the issue of unemployment among the educated, how can a new Bangladesh be built?
