Education Day 2014: Way Forward

THIS year Education Day will be observed with focus on the slow implementation of the Education Policy - 2010 and the delay in the passing of the education law for which establishment of permanent statutory education commission, formation of teachers' recruitment authority and introduction of separate pay scale for teachers from primary to higher education level could not be realized.

There is no denying the fact that in recent years the education sector has witnessed several positive changes such as free distribution of text books to primary and secondary students, reform in the curriculum after 17 years, introduction of creative question, use of information technology in the publication of examination results, introduction of pre-primary class, steps to check coaching on commercial basis, development of the infrastructure of education institutions, stipend for girls, achievement of gender parity in primary and secondary education.

But the challenges in education are also manifold. To mention a few --  gradual decrease in the allocation for education, disinclination to be teachers, brain drain, reluctance of students to take up science subjects, anomalies and lack of coordination in the management of education and education institutions, absence of monitoring and presence of corruption in every tier and stage of education, lack of proper pre and in service training for teachers, moral degradation of a section of teachers, corporal punishment of students at the hand of a section of teachers, de-link of existing education system with the job market, slow pace of progress in the implementation of the Education Policy 2010, politicization of education and interference of the vested quarters in almost every sphere of education.

The impact of globalization in education in the country along with some progressive steps and decisions taken in the recent past however, make one optimistic about the future of education despite the crisis and challenges there. The creativity of our young boys and girls, the expanding cooperation between the government and the non-government organizations, the dynamism of a section of policy makers, forward looking ideas of some of our leaders irrespective of political allegiance and the role of the media also make one confident of our onward march towards progress. The causes which led to the education movement in 1962 and the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, all unmistakably show the way forward. This spirit is indomitable.

The writer is the Chairman of Initiative for Human Development. He was an organizer of 1962 education movement.
E-mail: ihdbd@yahoo.com