Education in Bangladesh

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) (Bengali: জাতীয় শিক্ষাক্রম ও পাঠ্যপুস্তক বোর্ড) provides textbooks, takes standardized tests via one of two languages: English[25] and Bengali. Bengali and English are mandatory subjects for all students following the national curriculum despite their chosen languages or versions.[26] The Bengali version of the national curriculum is called "Bangla version" and the English version of the national curriculum is called "English version".[26] Those who follow these individual curriculums are called "Bangla version students" and "English version students" respectively. Bangla version of alternate curriculums are called "Bangla Medium" and English version of alternate curriculums are called "English medium". Those who follow these individual alternate curriculums are called "Bangla medium students" and "English medium students" respectively.[25]

A student is expected to complete 12 years of education up to class 12. The curriculum does not include pre-school.

There is no choice of subjects offered to students under this curriculum until class 9 and again at class 11 when a student is expected to choose between 3 streams of education. The 3 streams of education are as following:

• Arts
• Commerce
• Science (Total 11 subjects must be studied for science students).[26]

In class 9–10 and 11–12, each has its own pre-selected set of subjects with one optional subject which can be changed. For instance, a student studying in science group can't replace Chemistry, Bangla or Religion for Accounting or History. But he can replace Higher Math or Biology for Arts & Crafts. In other words, a student of this curriculum has to study a pre-set group of subjects with having only one choice of replacing an elective subject to another elective subject. Science is the most sought-after stream of education in urban areas.

A standardized exam is held in class 8 called Junior School Certificate examination; schools often restrict students getting less than their set Grade Point Average (GPA) from pursuing Science stream of education.

100% of the mark obtained in certificates of PSC (class 5), JSC (class 8), SSC (class 10), and HSC (class 12) examinations is obtained from standardized written tests, Multiple choice questions, Practical part, and viva-voice involved with practical part. Classroom performance, homework and assignments play no part in a student's certificate. Standardized written tests (Creative part) and Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQ) are taken in a single sitting without breaks. A student is given a blank answer script separate from the question paper to answer the creative part, and a separate Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheet to mark answers to Multiple Choice Questions. Time allocation for MCQ and CQ (Creative Questions) parts are separate and strictly enforced, OMR sheet is taken away after the allocated time, and CQ question is provided. Practical Part is taken in another sitting on a separate day, viva-voice is taken during practical exam simultaneously.

Concerning lesser than expected outcome of this curriculum, the ministry of education along with NCTB is about to implement a completely reformed curriculum starting from 2023 and completely implemented in 2027. The new curriculum is approved by Ministry of Education and is currently under use for classes 6-7.[27]

Dipu Moni, the Minister of Education in Bangladesh as of 2023.

The approved major overhaul of the current curriculum is about to be implemented nationwide for classes 1–12 starting from classes 6 and 7 in 2023,[28] classes 8 and 9 in 2024, class 10 in 2025, class 11 in 2026, and class 12 in 2027. The new curriculum is expected to reduce the need of school coaching centers[29] as there will be various activities involved in the learning process[30] offering students a better understanding of each topic. It is expected to shift our curriculum from an outcome-centric one to a competency-based one with 10 selected competencies a student is supposed to possess at completion of class 12 with emphasis on character building. Education minister Dr. Dipu Moni believes "Role of teachers will change under the new curriculum".[31]

Under the initiative, newly written books will be provided to all students of the national curriculum. Number of subjects will decrease, there will be topics covering mental and physical health under a subject called "Wellbeing" or "Bhalo Thaka / ভালো থাকা (Staying well)". Separate streams of education (Arts, Commerce, Science) will be eliminated for only 10 uniform subjects for classes 6–10 and SSC candidates, but such streams will remain for classes 11–12 or HSC candidates. Standardized board exams PEC (class 5) and JSC (class 8) will be abolished to reduce exam centric teaching and learning.[32]

A significant part of the evaluation will come from class performance. There will be no standardized tests at schools or board up to class 3, students of classes one to three will be evaluated on the basis of their classroom performance alone. Besides a significant percentage of marks will come from classroom performance and continuous evaluation in their own schools to further reduce exam centric learning, however the percentage keeps reducing as a student is promoted to a higher class.

The question pattern is also expected to be changed under the new curriculum in accordance with international standards, but official declaration has not come yet detailing the new question pattern. The new question pattern is expected to replace current creative type questions as it could not fill up its purpose of introduction completely in current curriculum.

Cadet Colleges are important in the education system of Bangladesh. A cadet college is a room and board collegiate administered by the Bangladesh Military. Discipline is compulsory at all cadet colleges. Faujdarhat Cadet College is the first cadet college in Bangladesh, established in 1958 over an area of 185 acres (0.75 km²) at Faujdarhat in the district of Chittagong. At present, there are 12 cadet colleges in Bangladesh, including three for girls. Four Cadet Colleges were established before 1971. Other cadet colleges were built after the Liberation War of Bangladesh.[33]

Cadets in a classroom

Govt of Bangladesh plans to build 1,000 primary schools in char areas. [34]

As of September 2019, tertiary education in Bangladesh takes place at 44 government, 101 private and 3 international universities. Students can choose to further their studies in chartered accountancy, engineering, technology, agriculture and medicine at a variety of universities and colleges.[35][36]

Table: Number of Primary Education Institutions, Teachers and Students, 2018

{An updated data chart January 2020 on the Primary Education can be retrieved from the following link} [37]

A primary school in haor area, Bangladesh.

The overall responsibility of management of primary education lies with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MOPME), set up as a Ministry in 1992.[38][39] While MOPME is involved in formulation of policies, the responsibility of implementation rests with the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) headed by a Director General.[40] The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) and its subordinate offices in the district and Upazila are solely responsible for management and supervision of primary education. Their responsibilities include recruitment, posting, and transfer of teachers and other staff; arranging in-service training of teachers; distribution of free textbooks; and supervision of schools. The responsibility of school construction, repair and supply of school furniture lies with the DPE executed through the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED).[41] The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) is responsible for the development of curriculum and production of textbooks. According to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, this year (2022), 34,70,16,277 textbooks have been distributed among 4,17,26,856 pre-primary, primary, secondary, Ebtedayee, Dakhil, vocational, SSC vocational, ethnic minority groups and visually challenged students across the country. Of the total textbooks, 24,71,63,256 are for secondary and 9,98,53,021 for primary level students.[42]

While the Ministry of Education (MOE) is responsible for formulation of policies, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) under the Ministry of Education is responsible for implementing the same at secondary and higher education levels.[43] The NCTB is responsible for developing curriculum and publishing standard textbooks.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) are responsible for conducting the two public examinations:

• Primary Education Certificate (PEC) (5 grade)
• Junior School Certificate (JSC) (8th grade) [40]

The recent update on the PEC and JSC examinations are that "There will be no Primary Education Completion (PEC) and Junior School Certificate (JSC) examinations from 2023", disclosed Education Minister Dipu Moni at a Secretariat Press Conference in September 2021.[44]

St Joseph Higher Secondary School, Dhaka, one of the most prestigious Educational Institutions in Bangladesh providing both secondary and higher secondary education.

The secondary level of education is controlled by the ten general education boards:

• Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board for Alia Madrasah
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Barishal for Barisal Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Chittagong for Chittagong Division excerpt proposed Meghna Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Comilla for proposed Meghna Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka for Dhaka Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dinajpur for Rangpur Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Jessore for Khulna Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Mymensingh for Mymensingh Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Rajshahi for Rajshahi Division
• Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sylhet for Sylhet Division

The boards' headquarters are located in Dhaka, Barisal, Comilla, Chittagong, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Jessore, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Sylhet.

Nine region-based Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) are responsible for conducting the two public examinations:

• Secondary School Certificate (SSC) (10th grade)
• Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) (12th grade)

At the school level, in the case of non-government secondary schools, School Management Committees (SMC), and at the intermediate college level, in the case of non-government colleges, Governing Bodies (GB), formed as per government directives, are responsible for mobilizing resources, approving budgets, controlling expenditures, and appointing and disciplining staff. While teachers at non-government secondary schools are recruited by concerned SMCs observing relevant government rules, teachers at government secondary schools are recruited centrally by the DSHE through a competitive examination.

In government secondary schools, there is not an SMC. The headmaster is solely responsible for running the school and is supervised by the deputy director of the respective zone. Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), however, exist to ensure a better teaching and learning environment.[45][46]

Night View, American International University Bangladesh (Private University), Dhaka

Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology

Curzon Hall, University of Dhaka

Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (1940s), Dhaka

Front view of North South University (Private University), Dhaka

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka

Civil Engineering Building of BUET

At the tertiary level, universities are regulated by the University Grants Commission. There are three types of Universities in Bangladesh; Public, Private, and International.[47] Some colleges providing tertiary education are affiliated under the National University. Each of the private medical colleges is affiliated with a public university. Universities in Bangladesh are autonomous bodies administered by statutory bodies such as Syndicate, Senate, Academic Council, etc. in accordance with provisions laid down in their respective acts.[48][49]

Universities in Bangladesh represent about 150 academic bodies of the conventional higher education institution (HEI) in Bangladesh. Segmented by management and financial structure, these include 43 public universities, 103 private universities, 2 international universities, 31 specialized colleges, and 2 special universities. There are specialized universities in all categories offering courses principally in technological studies, medical studies, business studies and Islamic studies. There are two private universities dedicated solely to female students. The number of universities is growing mostly in and around the capital city of Dhaka.

Public University

Public universities are heavily subsidized by Government of Bangladesh to let students from most financial conditions study in these institutes. They admit students via competitive written standardized tests after meeting eligible High School grade criteria with little to no regards for extracurricular activities. Number of foreign teachers and students in these universities are very limited although many of them accept students passing from alternative curriculums.[50]

Private University

Most of the Universities of Bangladesh are private. Unlike public universities they're not given financial support by Government. They're regulated by University Grants Commission along with public universities. By law, all private universities must get a permanent campus within 12 years of starting operations.[51] Foreign students and teachers are more often found in private universities due to more flexible requirements than their public counterparts. Private medical colleges must be under a public university, currently no private medical college in Bangladesh is providing post graduate degrees, and other private universities are allowed to provide master's degree but not MPhil or PhD.

Jessore Polytechnic Institute, Jessore.

The Technical and Vocational Education System provides courses related to various applied and practical areas of science, technology and engineering, or focuses on a specific specialized area. Course duration ranges from one month to four years. The Technical Education Board controls technical and vocational training in the secondary level and also Two years HSC BM/Vocational in higher secondary level.

The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of technical and vocational education in the country. Curriculum is implemented by BTEB. In the Technical Education System, after obtaining a Diploma-in-Engineering degree (four-year curriculum) from the institutes listed below, students can further pursue their educational career by obtaining a bachelor's degree from Engineering & Technology Universities. It normally it takes an additional two and a half to three years of coursework to obtain a bachelor's degree, although some students take more than three years to do so. They can then enroll in post-graduate studies. Students can also study CA (Chartered Accounting) after passing HSC or bachelor's degree and subject to fulfilling the entry criteria of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).[52][53]

• Bangladesh Sweden Polytechnic Institute Bangladesh Sweden Polytechnic Institute or Swedish as it is commonly known, is a government Diploma Engineering College located in Kaptai, Rangamati Hill Tracts in Bangladesh which Established in 1963.
• Barishal Polytechnic Institute – one of the largest polytechnic institutes in Bangladesh
• BCMC College of Engineering & Technology – ISO certified and the largest private engineering college in Bangladesh, situated in Jessore
• Bogura Polytechnic Institute – one of the largest polytechnic institutes in Bangladesh
• Brahmanbaria Polytechnic Institute – a government technical institute in Brahmanbaria a state-supported technical academic institute, established in 2005
• Comilla Polytechnic Institute – founded in 1962, one of the largest and well-reputed government polytechnic institutes
• Chittagong Polytechnic Institute – provides theoretical and practical education of basic Engineering and technology
• Dhaka Polytechnic Institute – a government technical institute in Dhaka
• Feni Polytechnic Institute – created on 29 February 1964, has around 2,000 students
• Graphic Arts Institute – the only government printing and graphic design institute in Bangladesh
• Jessore Polytechnic Institute a government engineering institute located in Jashore
• Khulna Polytechnic Institute – a government technical institute in Khulna
• Kushtia Polytechnic Institute – a government polytechnic institute in Kushtia
• Kishoreganj Polytechnic Institute – a government polytechnic institute in Kishoreganj
• Magura polytechnic institute - a government technical institute located in Magura
• Mangrove Institute of Science and Technology – a non-government technical institute in Khulna
• Mymensingh Polytechnic Institute – established in 1963 by the Ford Foundation
• Patuakhali Polytechnic Institute – one of the largest polytechnic institutes in Bangladesh
• Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute – a government technical institute in Rajshahi
• Sylhet Polytechnic Institute – a state-supported technical academic institute, established in 1955 by the Pakistani Government
• Satkhira Polytechnic Institute a government technical institute located in Satkhira

International School Dhaka, an IB World school in Dhaka

International Schools are mainly private schools where all the courses are taught in English and in international curriculums except language subjects i.e., Bangla or French. These schools in Bangladesh follow the Cambridge Assessment International Education, Pearson Edexcel, International Baccalaureate and some other curriculums where students are prepared for taking their Ordinary Level (O Level) IGCSE (Cambridge)/ International GCSE (Edexcel), Advanced Level (A Level), and IBDP examinations. The Ordinary level / IGCSE, International GCSE / Advanced Level / IBDP examinations are considered international equivalent to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examinations respectively and accepted by local Colleges and Universities.

Most students sit for these exams through attending the registered schools in Bangladesh who follow the curriculums. Those who do not attend a school that follows the British curriculums (not International Baccalaureate) may also sit for their Ordinary, IGCSE and Advanced Level examinations from the British Council as a private candidate. These examinations are conducted under the supervision of the British Council in Bangladesh. The school examinations conducted by the British Council takes place twice a year. Currently, there are two boards operating from Bangladesh for Ordinary and Advanced Level Examinations, which are Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge Assessment International Education. However, Bangladesh has recently opened English version schools translating National Curriculum textbooks into English except the mandatory Bangla subject.[54]

The Madrasah Education System focuses on Islamic education, teaching all the basics of education in a religious environment. Islamic studies are taught in Arabic and Bangla and sometimes, even in English. During the East Pakistan era, religious education was also taught in Urdu. The students in some areas also serve the local area masjids. Students also have to complete all the courses from the General Education System. Many privately licensed Madrasas take in homeless children and provide them with food, shelter and education, e.g., Jamia Tawakkulia Renga Madrasah in Sylhet.

There are two types of madrasas in Bangladesh. One, the "Qawmi" madrasas, are privately funded.[55] The other, the "Alia" madrasas, are privately owned but subsidized by the government (the government spends 11.5% of its education budget on alia madrasahs, paying 80% of teacher and administrator salaries).[55] Qawmi madrasahs account for 1.9% of total primary enrollment and 2.2% of secondary enrollment; Alia madrasahs account for 8.4% of primary and 19% of secondary enrollment.[56] The alia system is like the general education system, except that Arabic is taught in addition to general education. The Madrasah Education Board covers religious education in government-registered Madrasahs in the secondary level. After passing "Alim", a student can enroll for three additional years to obtain a "Fazil" level. Students can go for further general education and earn a university degree. After passing successfully, they can further enroll for another two years to obtain a "Kamil" level degree.

The following table provides a statistical comparison of the "Qawmi" and "Alia" madrasah systems.[57][58]

Due to the Rohingya genocide, thousands of Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh in order to survive the ethnic cleansing.[61] The government has had hard times managing the refugees, particularly when it comes to their education since Rohingyas are mostly illiterate because they were denied their right to education as a part of the persecution.[62][63] As of 2020, approximately one-third of Rohingya children refugees were able to access primary education, primarily through temporary centers run by international organizations. UNICEF runs approximately 1,600 learning centers across the country, educating around 145,000 children.[64] Beginning in April 2020, UNICEF and the Government of Bangladesh were scheduled to enroll 10,000 Rohingya children in schools where they will be taught the Myanmar school curriculum.[64]

Public expenditure on education lies on the fringes of 2 percent of GDP with a minimum of 0.94 percent in 1980 and a maximum of 2.2 percent in 2007.[74]

The education system lacks a sound Human Resource Development and deployment system,[75] and this has demoralized the primary education sector personnel, including teachers, and contributes to poor performance. Poverty is a big threat to primary education. In Bangladesh, the population is very high. The number of seats available in colleges is less than the number of students who want to enroll, and the number of seats available in universities is also less than the number of students who passed higher secondary level and want to join in a university. The cost of education is increasing day by day, and as a result many students are unable to afford it.

One study found a 15.5% primary school teacher absence rate.[76]

In Bangladesh, gender discrimination in education occurs amongst the rural households but is non-existent amongst rich households. Bangladesh has achieved gender parity in Primary and Secondary education with significant progress made in higher education[77] There is great difference in the success rates of boys, as compared to girls in Bangladesh. Girls do much better and outperform boys in almost every field of Education. However, in recent years some progress has been made in trying to fix this problem.[78]

The low performance in primary education is a matter of concern, mostly in rural areas.[79] School drop-out rates and grade repetition rates are high in rural areas.[79] Poor school attendance and low contact time in school are factors contributing to low level of learning achievement. However, the situation is very different in urban areas like Dhaka.[79]