A good education system is about more than just the numbers of students who take exams.
Quality is equally important. Improving the quality and impact of skills learned needs to be an integral goal of our education system.
The true test of a good education is its ability to to teach students about the world and how successful it is in sparking curiosity and properly preparing them for the future.
In this sense, much of our education system is failing. Children are widely held back by unimaginative and poorly delivered curricula and a mind-numbing emphasis on rote learning.
As a consequence, academics at leading universities and employers in large organisations, frequently complain about the calibre of undergraduates and new employees. This is vividly illustrated by the tens of thousands of high-paid middle and upper middle management posts which regularly go to expatriate staff from India, Sri Lanka, and further afield.
With around 2 million young people entering the workforce annually, including growing numbers of graduates, these numbers cannot be explained by a brain drain of native talent flowing overseas or cultural factors deterring graduates from seeking certain types of job. The clear lesson which needs to be learned is that our education system is not delivering to the levels needed to match Bangladesh’s potential.
Educational institutions and employers must do more to address the skills gap at all levels of the job market. To succeed in the globalised economy, Bangladesh needs a much more competitive and productive workforce.
We need to produce more young people who are analytical, inventive, and adaptable in their skill sets. Focusing on numbers and test scores alone will not be enough. Standards must rise across the board.
