Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision on the education sector is to guarantee twelve years of excellence in teaching-learning for girls and boys by 2030. She is working relentlessly to this end. Her motto is to "leaving no one behind" as per the fulfillment of SDGs and their targets. As per her directives national plans and policies including the eight and seventh five-year plans are geared towards the economic and supporting renovation of the country. Prime minister has vowed to offer education for all - the input is to accomplish the overreaching vision of comprehensive expansion in the light of sustainable development goals.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always highlight the requirement of modernizing countrywide teaching structure to handle the technology-driven spirited globe for humanistic approach. Because of her visionary leadership, women education has progressed tremendously during her regimes. She has been trying to continue the development in the education sector throughout the pandemic. She is working relentlessly to remove the digital divide. She put emphasis on industry alliance education and need based education.
However, nowadays a problem originated in the educational institutions itself as officials, personnel are indulging in bureaucracy which is a problem for the quality maintenance of the students. Even when the Father of Nation established University Grants Commission, at that time he tried to avoid any sort of internal or external bureaucracy. However, Bangabandhu started universal education system after independence. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took bold steps to free the people of the then newly independent country from illiteracy.
There are 52 public universities, including 13 science and technology universities of the country. There are 105 private universities in the country, out of which 90 are functioning. Among these private universities, at least 20 universities are providing quality education.
The number of female students has increased remarkably over the last decade. However, COVID-19, like all over the globe has created some problems. To improve the quality of education, the Prime Minister herself established the Bangladesh Accreditation Board which is an autonomous government organization and accountable and intended for making available that accreditations to Bangladeshi laboratories, testing centers, and certification bodies. It was a great decision of the Prime Minister. She also has been trying to improve the status of primary school teachers. Over the last ten years under the present prime minister’s directives education ministry is opting for Outcome-Based Education.
Education policy-2010 was a good achievement of the present govt. Bangladesh is a densely populated country. But more than 4.5 crore student is prevailing in Bangladesh from preprimary to Masters Degree. Moreover, to increase research work, govt. is trying to give different directives.
The government of Bangladesh has been trying to develop modern education system. Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina told that employability skill should be developed among the students. Outcome based education is very important to materialise the government's vision and mission. Recently I did a survey among 12 public universities and 15 private universities and interesting finding is that those who are third class and fourth class employees and providing services as section officer or in equivalent position, mostly they misbehave with the students. Our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu always asked to provide services for the students. Even this group is associated with some teachers and students politics and also indulging Union politics. Unless we are coming out from logistic support holders’ zamindar style or back biting or propaganda, it will be hard to improve our education system. I do not know why the problem is not addressed by the students and faculties in appropriate forum. When present govt. put cent percent to improve the quality of education they behave like colonial officials of British and Pakistani era. Even in most of the private universities and some newly established public universities, these logistic support suppliers are so powerful that the Registrar asked to call senior Professors to address them sir. Misbehave with the students are regular phenomenon as revealed by the research. How pity! They must show respect and stop false backbiting. This matter needs to be addressed. Govt.'s good initiatives are often being destroyed by the logistic support service holders. Another interesting finding is that if any academician becomes in charge of any administrative role, he/she tries to satisfy administrative junior colleagues. Teachers must refrain from politics along with officials of the university. Dr. Kripa Shanker Gupta (An Empowerment Guru and Expert Energy Intensifier) Gupta Director-Karnataka, The Federation of Education Leaders and Administrators, Corporate Trainer, Faculty Developer, Advisor (Higher Education), India adress such approach as dangerous and this is more or less the regional scenario. Education can’t be improved by addressing a few elements/stakeholders and which needs to simultaneously addressing all stakeholders. Otherwise it remains an eye wash. Dr. Gupta also expressed that this should open the eyes for reducing for future damage and recovery.
Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always been genuine in humanizing the extra ordinary zeal for employable skill to cultivate among young learners. Education ministry is also trying. Now those who are in the grassroots level should act without any discrepancies and good governances and customs need to be practiced in the maintenance of the educational sector for its improvement. Honorable Prime Minister’s good wishes "improve the quality of education" and also "foster global partnership for education" need to be implemented for which internal and external stakeholders in the education sector need to work with integrity. However, some wrong minded people always spread propaganda who should be refrained from such activities. Govt. is doing a lot for ensuring quality education. A knowledge based society is needed to be developed in the country as the country is remarkably progressing in the economic scenario lead by Honorable Prime Minister of the country.
Professor Dr.Muhammad Mahboob Ali is an academician and economic specialist and trained in education arena. Email:[email protected]