At present, the education system of Bangladesh has fallen into a troubling crisis. Various international organizations, especially recent reports by the World Bank, are clearly pointing out a harsh and unpleasant truth.
According to them, although the rate of education in Bangladesh has increased on paper, it remains backward in terms of quality. It is deeply regrettable that the knowledge acquired by a higher secondary graduate is considered equivalent to only that of a seventh-grade student by international standards.
Given this massive “learning gap,” would it be an exaggeration to say that the backbone of the nation is on the verge of collapse?
There are multiple reasons behind this decline in educational quality. First, the main obstacle to quality education is the lack of skilled and competent teachers.
According to UNESCO data, Bangladesh ranks lowest in South Asia in terms of the proportion of qualified teachers at the secondary level. About 55 percent of teachers at this level fail to meet the minimum competency standards.
Moreover, lack of transparency in teacher recruitment, political influence, and insufficient training have further deepened this crisis. Second, our education system has become overly focused on certificates. Whether education is for exams or exams are for education—this has become a major question.
The absence of a balanced, multidimensional system has created disorder. Failure to properly understand the purpose of privatization has led to increased commercialization. Mismanagement has emerged within the public education system. Basic education is now largely neglected.
Teachers no longer show the same level of interest and dedication to teaching as before. In the private education sector, pressure on students and guardians continues to rise. Even coaching and private tutoring are not enough—but is anyone asking why? The ugly face of education as a business is evident.
There is a widespread shortage of ideal teachers. Additionally, life-oriented and practical education is largely absent. Students are trapped in the maze of achieving GPA-5.
As a result, although a large number of highly educated unemployed individuals are being produced, they lack the skills demanded by the job market.
Overcoming these structural and ideological failures in the education system is now a necessity of the time. First, the recruitment process must be made completely free from political influence, and teachers should be appointed based on merit and transparency.
Adequate salaries, allowances, and other benefits must be ensured for teachers. The education system should be unified and made 90 percent public, with only 10 percent reserved for private and charitable institutions.
We believe that improving the quality of teachers is the most effective way to improve the quality of education. Therefore, it is essential to arrange proper subject-based training for them.
Second, the education system must be freed from narrow political boundaries and brought under a long-term national education policy. It is necessary to ensure that changes in government do not lead to radical changes in education policy or curriculum.
Third, special emphasis must be placed on foundational learning skills at the primary and secondary levels. Fourth, a strong connection must be established between education and the labor market.
Alongside theoretical education, the expansion of technical and vocational education has become essential. Increased investment in research and proper monitoring of higher education institutions are needed to strengthen our position in global rankings.
In truth, Bangladesh’s education system now stands at a critical juncture. Genuine national development cannot be achieved through cheap statistics of pass rates alone.
We must realize that there is no alternative to quality education in building a knowledge-based society. Ultimately, our national education system must become inclusive, equitable, and capable of providing lifelong learning opportunities.
The curriculum must be outcome- and competency-based so that students can acquire practical skills.