Reforming our education system

Many critics have rightly argued that the higher education system in Bangladesh should incorporate more holistic curricula which cultivate students’ passion, creativity, communication skills, and promote the importance of empathy and cross-cultural understanding. In today’s rapidly changing and often unpredictable world, global markets increasingly require new hires who are not merely excellent in their own specific fields, but who can, more importantly, offer a valuable contribution to a broader problem-solving narrative in a way that elevates the conversations. The ideal education system would therefore be one where students are not only encouraged but rather required to participate in all their classes, and also enrol in certain classes outside the specialised academic discipline they are pursuing.     

We can find the best example in the business profession, where knowledge of markets alone is never enough to reach the desired outcomes; a successful entrepreneur has to be innovative, well-spoken and persuasive. Similarly, a successful engineer should also possess a wide knowledge base relating to current affairs. The point of education is to serve a purpose, whether it be a greater cause or intellectual fulfilment. This “purpose” is one of the foundational traits of education, yet it is far too often diluted in the way lessons are being taught. It’s time to reverse our parochial methodologies and work towards producing a well-rounded and diverse body of future graduates.