University education

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What our universities need most today is second-generation reforms after pursuing the policy of establishment and consolidation for over forty years. The reforms should include updating of syllabi, full autonomy, political non-interference and, above all, accountability of both the teachers and the taught. State funding of higher education should become more liberal and a sound mechanism of quality control should be put in place. University education cannot be divested from the socio-economic uplift of the masses. Therefore, the government should come forward with well meaning employment/placement programs. Privatisation is a fatal short cut to the problems afflicting higher education in Bangladesh. At best, it is an escape from a strategic area of national life. The crippling of individuals I consider the worst evil of capitalism. Our whole educational system suffers from this evil. An exaggerated competitive attitude is inculcated into the student, who is trained to worship acquisitive success as a preparation for his future career. Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are so extremely wise and useful that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant.