Of education science and our education scene

Like in the other countries, 'education science' has become an independent discipline in the academic arena of Bangladesh. Keen interest in this discipline is growing day by day among the academics, education policy makers, researchers, development professionals, students and the general people. Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research (IER) is the pioneer in studying and researching on education. IER conducts a 4-year Bachelor's, Master's, MPhil and PhD programmes in education. A good number of public universities are also offering graduate and post-graduate degrees in the subject. The Teachers' Training Colleges of the National University conduct Bachelor's as well as Master's courses in education for secondary school teachers and other professionals. Bangladesh Open University has also Certificate, Bachelor's and Master's courses in education. Moreover, today many private universities are offering Bachelor's and Master's programmes in the subject. Through these institutions the study of 'education science' has been growing strong day by day. But it is an irony that there is a lack of standard texts and reference books on education in the country. In this regard, the book 'Shikkha Bigyan O Bangladeshey  Shikkha' (Education Science and Education in Bangladesh)' is a very timely and noble initiative from the authors. The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh published its first, second, third and fourth editions in 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2014 respectively.
The book contains sixteen chapters. The first chapter titled 'Introducing Education' discusses the concept, aims, functions and scope of education.  Actually, the theoretical aspects of education are presented here. In the second chapter, the authors delve deeper into an analysis of the concept of 'education science'. In general, we are familiar with the phrase --- 'education as a learning process'. However, we are less acquainted with the concept of 'education as a science'. The authors attempt to explain how 'education science' has become a special branch of knowledge. Chapter 3 deals with child education. Some very important topics like 'Child's Growth and Development', 'Learning, Attention and Motivation'; 'Intelligence & Personality' etc. are discussed in this chapter. The authors also elaborate on the child-centric education and its main characteristics.
The fourth chapter titled 'Education in Bangladesh' begins with a discussion on education in the Constitution of Bangladesh. Mentioning various provisions in our Constitution it reminds us of the state responsibility to ensure education for all citizens. The aims and objectives of education described in the latest National Education Policy-2010 are also explained very nicely in this chapter. In the fifth and sixth chapters, the writers narrate in detail the structure, curricula, administration and management of education in Bangladesh. Chapters 7 and 8 discuss 'Teaching Methods' and 'Techniques and Evaluation Management'. The latest development of evaluation system in our secondary level --- school based assessment (SBA) and creative questions --- is discussed elaborately in chapter 8. Chapter 9 deals with a very important topic, 'teachers training in Bangladesh'. Historical background of teachers training and different types of this training for different levels of the education sector are presented here very nicely.
Another very important topic 'Education and Human Resource Development' is discussed in chapter 10. Education's role in human resource development and Bangladesh's position in Human Development Index (HDI) by UNDP are explained here. In the chapters 11 and 12, the writers discuss 'Education Financing in Bangladesh' and 'Efficiency and Wastage in Education'. Major wastages (dropout, unemployed educated, over-production of highly qualified persons, brain drain etc.) in the education sector of Bangladesh are described in chapter 12. Chapter 13 deals with quality education. Some important topics like quality education in Bangladesh, government's initiatives taken for improving our education, and barriers to quality education in Bangladesh are discussed in this chapter. Chapters 14 and 15 focus on 'Educational Development Planning in Bangladesh' and 'Problems and Issues in Education of Bangladesh'. The authors analyse different 'national education commissions' and 'the national education policy' reports and draw our attention to the challenges and issues of our education sector. In chapter 16, the last one, the writers focus on 'Education in Global Perspective'. It dwells at length on how the various UN and international organisations deal with education.  
 In selecting and organising the topics of the book, both theoretical and practical aspects of education in Bangladesh have been emphasised. As a reference, the book is unique. Overall, the publication is a highly informative work, worth recommending to interested persons. The authors have extensive working experiences in the field of education. Professor Dr. Abdul Maleque and Professor Dr. Mariam Begum have been teaching and researching at Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research since 1988 and 1996 respectively. Dr. Fakhrul Islam is working as a Joint Secretary for the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh and Sheikh Shahbaz Riad is an Associate Professor at the Government Teachers' Training College, Dhaka. The authors deserve plaudits for producing a brilliant academic piece of writing like this. With Foreword by Emeritus Professor Dr. Sirajul Islam Choudhury, the book contains abundant food for thought for academics, researchers, policy makers, students, and educational professionals in general. For the people interested in the challenges, issues and development of Bangladesh education, the book turns out to be a must-read.
The writer is an independent researcher.
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Shikkha Bigyan O Bangladeshey Shikkha
(5th edition)
 By Dr. Abdul Maleque, Dr.  Mariam Begum, Dr. Fakhrul Islam and Sheikh Shahbaz Riad Published by Ramon Publishers, Dhaka September 2015; pages 692. ISBN: 984-70350-0176-0