The number of students in public universities decreased in 2012 compared to figures from 2011, while the number in private universities increased during the time, the University Grants Commission annual report for 2012 has revealed.
The report said a drop in student numbers at the National University (NU) mainly contributed to the overall decrease in students at public universities. The report for 2012 was submitted to President Abdul Hamid last month.
Educationists said prolonged session jams at the NU might have contributed to the slide, whilst violent student politics in NU-affliated colleges might have been another reason for the shift.
The UGC report said there was a 13% decrease in the number of students at public universities in 2012 than the previous year.
In 2011, the 34 public universities had 2,170,472 students, while the number decreased to 1,890,543 in 2012.
On the other hand, there was a 12% increase of students at the then 60 private universities, with figures climbing to 314,640 in 2012 from 280,822 students in 2011.
The number may have increased further as the country currently has 78 private universities.
The NU-affiliated colleges faced the biggest drop in number, with 381,638 students decreasing in 2012 compared to the previous year.
In 2011, the NU had 1,650,088 students, which decreased to 1,268,450 in 2012.
However, excluding the NU and the Open University, the number of students in 32 public universities remained the same or increased slightly.
However, 197,278 students at 32 public universities in 2012, was far smaller in number than 314,640 students at the 60 private universities.
“Mainly a prolonged scheduling jam in colleges under the National University is contributing to the decrease in the number of students at the National University and the increase at private universities,” said UGC member Atful Hye Shibly.
“When parents think that the expense of seven or eight years in colleges affiliated with National University is almost the same as four years in private universities, they prefer private universities, as they consider that their children’s time can be saved,” he added.
When contacted, NU Pro Vice-Chancellor Munaz Ahmed Noor told the Dhaka Tribune that he did not think NU had a sharp decrease in students, adding that he had to check the facts.
He also said: “We do not have more session jams than other public universities, but we have taken measures to reduce the problem.”
The UGC data also showed that there has been a 153% increase in the number of students at private universities since 2006.
The number of students at private universities was 124,267 in 2006, climbing to 314,640 in 2012.
Dhaka University Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, said violent politics on the campus might be a reason why some guardians preferred private universities.
“Many guardians who send their children to private universities told me that, despite the fact that the expenses in private universities are beyond their capacity, they choose the private universities because of violent politics at public universities,” Manzoorul, who also teaches at a private university, told the Dhaka Tribune.
Former UGC chairman Nazrul Islam said the session jams at the NU-affiliated colleges was the main reason for the trend.
“I have found that many low-income families are also sending their children to private universities only to avoid session jams,” he said.
He, however, said another reason might be that certificates were easy to obtain in some private universities.
Some students, however, said they preferred the private universities because of the subjects being offered.
“I had a dream to study Pharmacy, but I did not get the chance at Dhaka University, and so I chose a private university,” said Nazir Hossain, a private university student.
