Bangladesh is facing a significant unemployment problem, especially among the youth. The current education system is not preparing students with the skills needed in the job market. The National Education Policy 2010 aimed to expand vocational and technical education by establishing one government polytechnic institute in each district and one vocational educational institute in each upazila. However, progress in this area has been limited.
Currently, there is only one technical education board in Bangladesh, which is responsible for overseeing a large number of technical institutions. In contrast, there are 8 general education boards. This imbalance indicates that technical education is not receiving the attention it deserves. Experts suggest that there should be at least one technical education board in each division to ensure better management and development of technical education.
Bangladesh has 58 public universities and 114 private universities. Additionally, about 700 public and private colleges under the National University offer Honors-Masters programs. Each year, around 10-12 lakh students are admitted to these higher education institutions, and about 7-8 lakh students graduate. However, the job market does not have the capacity to absorb such a large number of graduates, leading to high unemployment among educated youth. Every year, around 3-5 lakh highly educated young people are added to the list of unemployed.
To address this issue, it is suggested that at least 50% of SSC pass students should be directed towards technical education. The number of seats in Class XI for general education should be reduced, and the number of seats in technical education should be increased to ensure that more students receive job-ready training. Additionally, it is proposed to establish one technical education board in each division to better manage and improve the quality of technical education.
The quality of education should also be a priority. New private polytechnic institutes should be approved only after ensuring they meet high standards.
The national education system should be aligned with the needs of the labor market to ensure that graduates have the skills employers are looking for.
A report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Asia and Pacific region shows that Bangladesh has a young population, with over 60% of its population being of working age (15-59 years). This demographic dividend presents a golden opportunity for Bangladesh to boost its economy. However, without proper education and job opportunities, this potential could be wasted. Prioritizing technical education is crucial to turning this young workforce into skilled manpower, helping Bangladesh achieve its goal of becoming a developed country.
