Importance of vocational education in Bangladesh

The Prime Minister inaugurated ceremony of "Technical and Vocational Education Week 2014 (June 18-24)" in the capital city Dhaka. In the ceremony she has stressed the need for flourishing science and technology in vocational education. It means she has given so much importance to vocational education that this discipline will face the challenge of 21st century which was once known as the poor students' technical education. Normally poor but meritorious students used to study vocational courses under the Board of Technical Education. Even, after completion of four years of diploma on Civil, Mechanical or Electrical engineering they are not given recognition of engineers or technologists of any level. In most countries, a BSc engineer and a diploma holder of same trade do not have much difference in job fields. We would like to thank our prime minister for recognising the poor citizens' education--- the vocational education.       
For a variety of reasons, most villages of Bangladesh still have little or no access to full benefits of scientific and technological progress, and girls are particularly underrepresented in modern, local, traditional or indigenous science. Despite serious efforts directed towards improvement of education, only a small minority of girls pursue courses in scientific, technical and vocational education which are often gender-biased. Socio-cultural norms as well as unconscious influence  from parental opinions often impede girls' access to scientific and vocational education.
Children born in islands and highlands are neglected and girl children are the most disadvantaged ones who are traditionally underrepresented in communities or the societies. They have very poor idea about how technology is shaping the world. Almost no initiative has so far been taken to improve quality of their life. From generation to generation, they live in the same traditional or indigenous ways. When learning opportunities are provided, many of them are found extremely talents in board examinations. They have proved they are no less talent than the urban boys or girls. Their hidden skills, talents and knowledge gained from nature remain unrecognised, unutilised and undervalued in the world of modern technology. As such they are in greater need of upgrading their skills in all sectors. New technology knowledge may create new opportunities and enhance the quality of their life. Utilising skills and traditional knowledge they may shape the community where they are born and brought up.
An initiative was taken to improve the quality of life of the children living in a small island of Bangladesh through establishment of a vocational secondary school and technical college under technical education board. The project has proved how quickly science and technology based vocational education brings social and economic development of a disadvantaged community.  The recent SSC vocational results of the school give an excellent example of change of life style of the island girls. Out of 10 GPA- 5 holders, 9 are girl students who are from the extreme poor families. In spite of thousands of barriers, their hard work and self confidence made them successful.

The writer is Chairman of Computer Science and Engineering Department, Stamford University Bangladesh, email: [email protected]