Most students in their final year face great uncertainty in planning for their career opportunities due to slow pace of academic activities.
Many students said that the coronavirus pandemic has caused a long-term disruption and delay in the education sector in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the world. As a result, many students are passing their days in uncertainty.
All the educational institutes in the country have remained closed since March last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although classes are being held virtually, many public university students complained that their academic activities are moving forward at a snail’s pace. Students are losing interest and it’s also affecting their mental health. The pandemic has changed the lives, plans and expectations of many youths.
Noshin Laila, a student of the department of Criminology at University of Dhaka said “I had plans of participating in the BCS examination this year but couldn’t even graduate due to the pandemic. Even after graduation, I’ll have to face great difficulty in terms of employment prospects and earnings. Although the students of private universities are graduating during this time, the students of public universities are waiting hopelessly to sit for the final exams.”
Graduates who are currently pursuing postgraduate degrees are also worried about the prolonged academic careers. They are facing a hard time envisioning a long-term career-path.
Seeking anonymity, a student of Jahangirnagar University shared her opinion on how the indefinite delay in the academia due to the unpredictability of Covid-19 has led to severe consequences for the students.
She said, “Being an MA student of English (Literatures in English and Cultural Studies) myself, my future academic and career plans have been put on hold, since any plans are dependent upon the completion and the result of this Master's degree. For over a year virtual classes have been going on, yet no fixed date has been set for our final examination. Doing Master's for over two years (onsite and virtual classes combined) can be harmful in the long term as well, since any future interviews can require explanation for the resulting year gap.”
The sudden increase in the number of Covid-19 cases has also put the students at a loss who were planning to start a new chapter of their life after sustaining a year of this crisis period.
Salsabil Hayat Anannya, who graduated from a public university before the pandemic hit the country, had been planning to study abroad for a long time. The ongoing lockdown has created uncertainty regarding her higher education.
“In spite of being accepted in a reputed Canadian University, I'm unable to proceed further with the procedure due to the pandemic. All the government and international organizations like the passport office, British Council, Canadian immigration office are closed due to the lockdown. Therefore, students like me are suffering to a great extent to get their papers ready,” said Salsabil.
Uncertainties are mounting while no one knows what opportunities will be available and how the economy will look in the post-pandemic era.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is considering taking online exams in public universities to reduce the session jam. A committee formed by the commission has already prepared a draft guideline regarding this issue. Vice chancellors of all public universities will sit in a meeting with the UGC today to discuss the matter.
