Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) hosted a Press Briefing at 11:30 AM, 2 October 2024 at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, where it presented a Policy Brief titled "Continuous Transformation in Education to Eliminate Discrimination: Context of Bangladesh." The policy brief, prepared on behalf of the Non-State Education Community of the country, emphasizes creating a seamless education framework from pre-primary to higher education with consistency across all levels of education.
The event, moderated by Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE, was attended by key education experts. Among them were Dr. Ahmad Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury, Convener of Education Watch; Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Professor Emeritus at BRAC University; Dr. Eram Mariam, Executive Director of BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BIED); Jyoti F. Gomez, Advisor at Notre Dame University Bangladesh; Akmal Hossain, Principal of Lalmatia School and College; and Shahinur Al Amin, President of the Bangladesh Primary Teachers Association. The panelists addressed various questions from the media, providing insights into the challenges and necessary actions for reforming Bangladesh’s education system.
The event saw active participation from representatives of various national print and electronic media, who engaged with the speakers on the critical issues discussed. The urgency of addressing these issues was emphasized, stating that to achieve true progress in education of the country, it must prioritize inclusive transformation that leaves no child behind. However, CAMPE’s initiative reflects its commitment to advocating for comprehensive education reforms that are inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with national and global goals.
Key Advocacy Points from the Policy Brief
1. Pre-primary Education: For 2-year pre-primary education program, making it a mandatory and competency and skills based, it is essential to change the institutional infrastructure and human resources, and to acknowledge as independent structure.
2. Primary Education: Primary education should no longer be considered in a fragmented manner anymore. A comprehensive, competency-based curriculum must be developed and implemented seamlessly from pre-primary to higher secondary levels.
3. Secondary and Higher Secondary Education: Secondary education should offer diverse pathways, enabling students to choose their preferred tracks based on their interests and aptitudes. The current focus on theoretical and lab-based science education has created disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as gender imbalances. As industrialization advances, the demand for a skilled workforce will increase, making it crucial to modernize and mainstream technical and vocational education to meet future job market needs. Additionally, the higher secondary curriculum should be aligned with global and national higher education standards.
4. Higher Education: It is recommended to introduce application-oriented micro-credential courses using a modular approach, replacing lengthy theoretical undergraduate and postgraduate programs. To succeed in such courses, secondary-level students should acquire strong foundational knowledge in all subjects, including science. The quality of education and curriculum in National University-affiliated colleges should also be looked at ensuring relevance and excellence.
5. Educational Administration, Management, and Investment: For sustained educational reform, it is vital to manage the entire education system under a single ministry. Teacher development should be supported through an integrated national framework covering preparation, recruitment, promotion, empowerment, salary structure, and quality control. This can only be achieved with increased investment—at least 4% of GDP—to ensure the long-term success and transformation of the education system.
