Millions of people in Bangladesh are illiterate, and a large portion of the population belongs to the lower-middle class. Education is one of the key drivers of development and progress for any nation. However, for students from lower-middle class families, the pursuit of education is becoming increasingly difficult. Expenditure on education, including admission fees, monthly fees, session fees, and examination fees, are rising steadily.
In addition to these fees, the cost of daily necessities for students has increased significantly. All essential educational materials, such as books, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, scales, calculator and geometry boxes, have become prohibitively expensive. As a result, education is fast becoming a distant dream for many students from lower-middle-class families.
The rising costs of educational materials have led to an alarming increase in student dropouts, a trend that bodes ill for the country's future. Access to education should be an equal right for all. This not only hampers individual progress but also stifles the nation's overall development. If students are forced to abandon their studies due to financial constraints, the country risks losing a generation of skilled and educated citizens, crucial for its growth and prosperity.
Education is the foundation of a nation's progress, and making it accessible to all should be a top priority. It is time to act swiftly to ensure that every student in Bangladesh, regardless of their economic background, has access to the tools they need to learn and succeed.
Md. Riyad Uddin
Student, University of Chittagong
riyaduddin.cu@gmail.com