Academic landscape sees paradigm shift

The country's educational landscape has seen a significant shift, particularly in the rise of technical and academic coaching through online platforms.
The increasing numbers of learners and parents are opting for these digital platforms, reflecting a global trend toward more flexible and accessible learning environments.
This diversification of learning methods is especially beneficial for remote areas where qualified teachers are scarce.

Online learning offers convenience by eliminating the need for physical presence, allowing students to bypass the heavy traffic congestion of urban areas, including Dhaka and Chattogram.
Additionally, many parents find online options safer for their children in the urban areas.
Prominent institutions in the online education space in Bangladesh include 10 Minute School, Shikho, Udvash Unmesh, Sohopathi, Ostad, YODA and Bohubrihi.
Platforms like Learning Bangladesh, Tanvir Academy, Instructory and Ghoory Learning are also making strides in providing technical education to learners.
"There has been an overwhelming response from students and parents for the courses we offer," said Shahir Chowdhury, founder and CEO of Shikho, a leading academic online platform.
He said that their primary goal is to supplement mainstream education.
"We aim to create uniform access to quality education across the country," he went on by adding: "Qualified teachers and resources are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural students underserved.
"We're striving for providing the same quality of education to students in both rural and urban areas," Chowdhury said, claiming that 65 per cent of their students now hailing from rural areas.
Initially, the platforms emerged during the pandemic  in Bangladesh in 2020, 2021 and 2022, when physical schools were closed, and students and parents turned to alternative learning methods, leading to a surge in demand for online coaching.
Mr Tanvir Rahman, CEO of Tanvir Academy, a leading online MS Office training institute, shared a similar story.
"We started during the Covid-19 period when people were restricted from moving around," he said.
Having previously operated a physical training institute, Mr Rahman already had a pool of students, the platform has grown manifold now.
"We're getting significant responses from both domestic and international learners."
Mr Rahman highlighted the affordability of their courses.
"In Europe or America, MS Office training can cost around $1,000. We offer it for just Tk 3,000."
Speaking to The Financial Express from Paris, France, he noted that a large number of learners from abroad participate in their courses, with about 80 per cent of them being jobholders seeking to improve their skills.
The rise of online coaching platforms signals a shift in how education is perceived in Bangladesh.
Many students now opt for a hybrid approach - attending traditional schools while supplementing their learning with online courses.
This shift is further supported by the increasing use of mobile technology and internet connectivity, even in rural areas.
Ms Dharitry Rani Roy, a schoolteacher from Debiganj in Panchagarh, shared her experience with The FE through mobile phone.
Her daughter, a seventh-grade student, has been attending classes on 10 Minute School for the past two years.
"This is a great option, especially since our area lacks qualified teachers," Ms. Roy said.
She said that the platform regularly conducts exams and quizzes.
However, some concerns remain.
Critics argue that online education can impact socialisation, as students miss out on extracurricular activities that are important for their physical and mental development.
Professor Md Fazlur Rahman of the Institute of Education and Research at the University of Dhaka pointed out, "Socialisation is crucial, and it's something students experience through physical attendance in classrooms. Extracurricular activities are equally important for students' growth."
Dr. Rahman also noted the challenges of online education in Bangladesh, such as power shortages, load shedding, and poor internet connectivity.
"The internet is still expensive, and it's not yet accessible to everyone equally," he said.
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