Education in Bangladesh

Infobox Education
country name = Bangladesh
agency

agency = Ministry of Education
leader titles = Minister/ Adviser for Education
leader names = Ayub Quadri
budget = US$7.7 billion (2.4% of GDP)
budget year = 2006
primary languages = Bengali
system type =
established events = Established
Compulsory Education
established dates = 1972
5 yrs
literacy year = 15+
literacy total = 43.1%
literacy men = 53%
literacy women = 35%
enroll total = 23,907,151
enroll primary = 16,230,000
enroll secondary = 7,400,000
enroll post-secondary = 277,151
attain secondary = 335,454
attain post-secondary = 86,948
footnotes = cite web| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Bangladesh Education Stats| work = Central Database| publisher = NationMaster| date= 2007-03-21| url =http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-03-21
cite web| last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Statistical Pocket Book-2006 | work = | publisher = Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics | date= 2006 | url =http://www.bbs.gov.bd/dataindex/pb_wb_page.pdf | format = PDF | doi = | accessdate = 2007-12-16

The educational system in Bangladesh is three-tiered and highly subsidized. The government of Bangladesh operates many schools in the primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels. It also subsidizes parts of the funding for many private schools. In the tertiary education sector, the government also funds more than 15 state universities through the University Grants Commission.

In the past, Bangladesh education was primarily an English-controlled, upper-class affair with all courses given in English and very little being done for the common people. The Bangladesh education board has taken steps to leave such practises in the past and is looking forward to education as a way to provide a somewhat poverty-stricken nation with a brighter future.

Bangladesh fully conforms to the Education For All (EFA) objectives and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and international declarations. Article 17 of the Bangladesh Constitution assures that all children between the ages of six and ten years are to be provided basic education free of charge.

History

From the time of English rule to the Pakistani regime and finally the Bangladeshi system, education has evolved not only in methods but also in fundamental aspects like language and governance. Bangladesh has gone through various phases of education systems.

During British rule, education was mainly reserved for the wealthy class. The language of pedagogy was English, as religious nuns and other British people ran the schools. The few natives who were fortunate to receive education were either from wealthy families (Nawabs) or whose family had ties with the British governing body. For one to receive higher education, such as a university degree, to become a professional, one had to attend schools in England. Such was the case of Mahatma Gandhi, who travelled to London to study law. As native people were treated as second-class citizens, education was largely withheld from the general population.

After the British had left the Indian subcontinent, the territory currently known as Bangladesh came under Pakistani regime as the state of East Pakistan. Education during this period was still very scarce but those who had the means of acquiring it were no longer considered second-class citizens. The state language, however, was Urdu, the mother tongue of Pakistan. In East Pakistan, however, the native language was Bengali. Hence, a conflict over language was imminent. During that period school systems largely functioned in the English language and a few such schools, like the Holy Cross and numerous Catholic schools and colleges, were still taught by Christian missionaries.

Education system

Currently the education system is divided into four levels or stages. The first is the Primary level which incorporates grades 1 to 5. The second is Secondary level which covers grades 6 to 10. The Higher Secondary level consists of grades 11 and 12. If a student wishes to pursue further studies, tertiary education institutions are available. There are 11 government universities in Bangladesh and some 20 private universities which provide tertiary education. Students can choose to further studies in engineering, technology, agriculture and medicine at a variety of universities and colleges.

At all levels of schooling, students can choose to receive their education in English or Bengali. Private schools tend to make use of English-based media while government-sponsored schools use Bengali media of study.

A separate religious branch of education, known as the Madrasah system, teaches all the basics of education in a religious environment. Madrasahs take in countless homeless children and provide them with food, shelter and education. Religious studies are taught in Arabic and the children also usually serve the related mosques.

Pre-primary and primary education

Following the EFA, the government of Bangladesh made primary education compulsory for all children between the ages of six and ten. This has had a major impact on the system and the gross enrolment rate has increased since from 75% to 95% by 1996 (Sedere 1996).

Bangladesh has 18 million children in 62,000 primary schools; this is one of the largest primary systems in the world. Over 65% of the primary schools are government primary schools; the rest are registered non-governmental schools but assisted by the government. The government of Bangladesh distributes free books and education kits to the students of primary schools. There are private schools; however, the number of students enrolled in private schools is much fewer, and these schools largely cater to the social elite. Many schools in the secondary level also have primary sections.

The primary education level is from year 1 to year 5. The primary curriculum is a competency based curriculum developed by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) implements the curriculum and also manages the system of primary education. There is no nationwide examination at the end of the fifth year. However, the government education boards conduct a scholarship examination at the end of year 5.

econdary and higher secondary education

The secondary and higher secondary level is between year 6 and year 12. This level is further divided into two sub-levels - the secondary and the higher secondary. The schools in the lower secondary levels have students from year 6 to year 10. The schools in the higher secondary level are called "colleges".

There are two nationwide public examinations in this level. The first one is the Secondary School Certificate examination, conducted at the end of year 10. The other is the Higher Secondary Certificate examination, conducted at the end of year 12. These examinations are conducted by the seven education boards located in Barisal, Chittagong, Comilla, Dhaka, Jessore, Rajshahi, and Sylhet.

econdary education

On completion of primary education, students (11+) enrol for junior secondary education that spans 3 years. At the end of this phase of education, some students branch out to join the vocational stream, offered at Vocational Training Institutes (VTI) and Technical Training Centres (TTC) run by the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment respectively. Students in the mainstream continue in government and non-government secondary schools for a two-year secondary education in their respective areas of specialization, i.e. humanities, science, commerce, etc. At the end of their secondary education, the students sit for their first public examination (SSC) under the supervision of six education boards.

The students of religious education and English medium streams also sit for their respective public examinations, Dakhil and 'O' level, conducted by the Madrasah Education Board, and London/Cambridge University respectively, facilitated by the British Council in case of the latter.

Higher secondary education

After 10 years of schooling at primary and secondary level, students (16+) who succeed in passing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination have the option of joining a college for a two-year higher secondary education in their respective areas of specialization, or enrolling in technical or polytechnical institutes. After the two-year higher secondary education, one has to sit for another public examination called Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination conducted by the Education Boards to qualify for further education.

Students of religious and English medium streams also sit for their respective public examinations, Alim and 'A' level, conducted by the Madrasah Education Board and London/Cambridge University respectively to qualify for further education.

Tertiary education

Bangladeshi universities turn out almost 450,000 skilled graduates annually.

Undergraduate education

Undergraduate education of various duration (two to four years) is offered to age 18+ students at a number of public and private universities, degree and honours colleges, technical colleges, and specialized institutions. Successful completion of a degree course is a prerequisite for appointment to a white-collar civilian job.

Post-graduate education

Post-graduate education, normally of a one- to two-year duration, is provided at universities and affiliated colleges and institutions under National University.

Education management

The overall responsibility of management of primary education lies with the Primary and Mass Education Division (PMED), set up as a separate division with the status of a Ministry in 1992. While the PMED is involved in formulation of policies, the responsibility of implementation rests with the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) headed by a Director General.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) and its subordinate offices in the district and upazila are solely responsible for management and supervision of primary education. Their responsibilities include recruitment, posting, and transfer of teachers and other staff; arranging in-service training of teachers; distribution of free textbooks; and supervision of schools. The responsibility of school construction, repair and supply of school furniture lies with the Facilities Department (FD) and Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) are responsible for the development of curriculum and production of textbooks. While the Ministry of Education (MOE) is responsible for formulation of policies, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) under the Ministry of Education is responsible for implementing the same at secondary and higher education levels. The NCTB is responsible for developing curriculum and publishing standard textbooks.

Primary and secondary level management

The primary and secondary levels of education are controlled by the six General Education Boards, each covering a region. The boards' headquarters are located in Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Jessore, Rajshahi and Sylhet. In addition, the Madrasah Education Board covers religious education in government-registered Madrasahs, and the Technical Education Board controls technical and vocational training in the secondary level.

Six region-based Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) are responsible for conducting the two public examinations, SSC and HSC, in addition to granting recognition to non-government secondary schools.

At the school level, in the case of non-government secondary schools, School Management Committees (SMC), and at the intermediate college level, in the case of non-government colleges, Governing Bodies (GB), formed as per government directives, are responsible for mobilizing resources, approving budgets, controlling expenditures, and appointing and disciplining staff. While teachers of non-government secondary schools are recruited by concerned SMCs observing relevant government rules, teachers of government secondary schools are recruited centrally by the DSHE through a competitive examination.

In government secondary schools, there is not an SMC. The headmaster is solely responsible for running the school and is supervised by the deputy director of the respective zone. Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), however, exist to ensure a better teaching and learning environment.

Tertiary education management

At the tertiary level, universities are regulated by the University Grants Commission. The colleges providing tertiary education are under the National University. Each of the medical colleges is affiliated with a public university. Universities in Bangladesh are autonomous bodies administered by statutory bodies such as Syndicate, Senate, Academic Council, etc. in accordance with provisions laid down in their respective acts.

Vocational education management

The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of technical and vocational education in the country.

Non-formal primary education

There exists a substantial number of NGO-run non-formal schools, catering mainly for the drop-outs of the government and non-government primary schools. Very few NGOs, however, impart education for the full five-year primary education cycle. Because of this, on completion of their two-to three-year non-formal primary education in NGO-run schools, students normally re-enter into government/non-government primary schools at higher classes.

There are Non-Governmental Schools (NGO) and Non-Formal Education Centers (NFE) and many of these are funded by the government. The largest NFE program is the much reputed BRAC program. However, all NFE graduates do not continue on to secondary school.

NGO-run schools differ from other non-government private schools. While the private schools operate like private enterprises often guided by commercial interests, NGO schools operate mainly in areas not served either by the government or private schools, essentially to meet the educational needs of vulnerable groups in the society. They usually follow an informal approach to suit the special needs of children from these vulnerable groups.

Similarly, in NGO-run schools there does not exist any SMC. The style of management differs depending upon differences in policies pursued by different NGOs. Some are centrally managed within a highly bureaucratic set-up, while others enjoy considerable autonomy.

Different NGOs pursue different policies regarding recruitment of teachers. Some prepare a panel of prospective teachers on the basis of a rigorous test and recruit teachers from this panel. Other NGOs recruit teachers rather informally from locally available interested persons.

Current status

Current government projects to promote the education of children in Bangladesh include compulsory primary education for all, free education for girls up to grade 10, stipends for female students, a nationwide integrated education system and a food-for-education literacy movement. A large section of the country’s national budget is set aside to help put these programs into action and to promote education and make it more accessible. Recent years have seen these efforts pay off and the Bangladesh education system is strides ahead of what it was only a few short years ago.

Concerns

The low performance in primary education is a matter of concern. School drop-out rates and grade repetition rates are high. Poor school attendance and low contact time in school are factors contributing to low level of learning achievement. Further, the system lacks a sound Human Resource Development and deployment system (Sedere 2000) and this has demoralized the primary education sector personnel, including the teachers, and contributes to poor performance. Poverty is a big threat for primary education.

References

*Sedere Upali M, (2000), Institutional Capacity Building Through Human Resource Development, Directorate of Primary Education/PEDPQI Project of NORAD, Bangladesh.
*Sedere Upali M, (1996), General Education Project (CR2118BD) Report, the World Bank.
* [http://www.campebd.org/download/PopularEW2002English.pdf Literacy In Bangladesh]
* [http://www.infosciencetoday.org/infolit.pdf Information Literacy : Bangladesh perspective]
* [http://www.infosciencetoday.org/infoliteracybd.pdf Information Literacy: A challenge for Bangladesh]
* [http://poverty2.forumone.com/files/14828_Bangladesh-web.pdf Female Secondary School Assistance Project: Bangladesh]
* [http://www.literacyonline.org/PDFs/OP0001.pdf Literacy and Adult Education]
* [http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/.../People's%20Progress%20Report%20on%20MDGs%20Bangladesh%20(Draft).pdf The bangladesh shadow report]
* [http://www.equip123.net/JEID/articles/3/Bangladesh.pdf The Girls' Stipend Program in Bangladesh]
* [http://www.globalmarch.org/images/bangladesh-report.pdf Country Report 2006 Bangladesh]
* [http://www.jbic.go.jp/english/oec/environ/report/pdf/eban.pdf Bangladesh Education Sector Overview]
* [http://www.uis.unesco.org/profiles/EN/EDU/countryProfile_en.aspx?code=500 UNESCO Country Profile]
* [http://www.uis.unesco.org/template/pdf/scb/StateReports/InformationAndMonitoringSheet/Bangladesh.pdf UNESCO Information and Monitoring Sheet]
* [http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/files/55595/11999600665Bangladesh.pdf/Bangladesh.pdf UNESCO Survey]
* [http://www.mof.gov.bd/economic/Chapter-12_B-2007.pdf Human Development Index, GoB]
* [http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/document.aspx?ReportId=121&IF_Language=eng&BR_Country=500 UIS Statistics]
* [http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/bangladesh_bangladesh_statistics.html UNICEF Statistics]
* [http://www.asianphilanthropy.org/countries/bangladesh/education.html Asian Philanthropy Website]

External links

* [http://www.moedu.gov.bd/ Ministry of Education]
* [http://www.educationboard.gov.bd/ Secondary Education Board]
* [http://www.banbeis.gov.bd/ BANBEIS]
* [http://www.ugc.org/national_uni7.htm National University]
* [http://www.ugc.org/open_uni.htm Bangladesh Open University]
* [http://www.ugc.org/university_list.htm UGC: List of Universities]
* [http://www.banbeis.gov.bd/ Bureau of Education Information and Statistics]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/E_0022.htm Education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/L_0111.htm Literacy on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/N_0203.htm Non-formal education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/V_0062.htm Vocational and Technical Education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/E_0023.htm Education Administration on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/A_0310.htm Art Education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/D_0251.htm Distance Education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0312.htm Commercial Education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/P_0304.htm Public Examination System on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/M_0032.htm Madrasah on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/U_0027.htm UGC on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/T_0209.htm Training Institutions on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0256.htm Missionary Education on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/W_0071.htm Wood's Despatch on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/S_0016.htm Sadler Commission on Banglapedia]
* [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0006.htm Cadet College on Banglapedia]

See also

* List of schools in Bangladesh
* List of universities in Bangladesh
* Medical Colleges of Bangladesh
* Bangladesh Cadet Colleges