A recent study by the Bangladesh Institute of Development studies (BIDS) reveals that enough attention was not given to create efficient manpower for the readymade garments sector which is our highest foreign exchange earner. The report says the readymade garments sector alone requires 3.6 million efficient workers by 2020-21 and more than 2.0 million workers require training by 2025-26. This is self-explanatory and need not be elaborated. Both India and Sri Lanka have given importance to efficiency development of their workers. Bangladesh also adopted the National Efficiency Development Policy in 2011. But the garments sector did not figure prominently in the policy and efficiency development of its workers were not also highlighted in the five year plans.
Human resource is considered a linchpin for modern economic development as the strength of a country and its institutions lies in the quality and capability of its manpower. In order to be successful, an institution has to have dynamic, inspired and efficient work force. In order to achieve the organisational targets, the management of the organisation is not only required to employ competent people, their efficiency should be enhanced through training.
Bangladesh has a population density of 2,600 people per square mile but dearth of skilled manpower has been impeding its economic growth. About 23.5 per cent of its people live below the poverty line which is a major cause of low literacy rate. In view of acute and increasing employment problem people migrate to other countries for employment risking their lives.
Since human resource is an essential and indispensable input to development, development of human resource is a primary requirement to augment individual and organizational capacity. An individual can widen his/her knowledge and efficiency through education and training, perform his/her tasks better and increase productivity. Therefore for continued progress of the country, consistent and well planned integration of quality education and training is required.
With transformation of people into resources, our GDP could be higher. We often cite examples of Japan, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia as development role models, but we tend to forget that these countries prioritised education particularly science and technology education and training.
Bangladesh has to increase its growth rate and accelerate pace of development to achieve high middle-income status by 2021 and UN targets of sustainable development by 2030 and for that it needs an educated, trained, efficient and committed work force. So education should be given the highest allocation and best utilisation of the funds allocated is to be ensured.
Health and nutrition are two important areas which are being overlooked. In addition, special programmes to convert the physically handicapped into useful resources should be taken up. It may be mentioned that lack of initiative for programmes by the national NGOs on health and nutrition is noticeable. Women are half of our population, so making them highly educated and efficient through social safety net is warranted.
Efficient manpower is essential for good governance. Development cannot be expedited without efficient manpower. Flight of merit should be prevented through various incentives and opportunity for quality research should be provided.
Effective steps should be taken for higher education and training for government employees. More training institutes should be established at upazila level. There is a huge demand for trained nurses in the Middle East particularly in Saudi Arabia and more nursing institutes should be established to export nurses in greater number. Knowledge on information technology (IT) is another important requirement for human resource development.
In view of our resource constraints, our priorities will have to be justified. Projects on political considerations must be avoided. Besides, internal resource collection can be augmented if duty and tax evasion and corruption of tax officials can be prevented. Money saved this way can be utilised for education, training, research, health and nutrition and thus creation of efficient human resources will help accelerate the process of development in the country.
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