Reforms in higher education
Saturday, 28 July 2007
EDUCATION reforms, specially in the area of higher education, are a matter of great need and significance for this country because there is a consensus among experts and stakeholders that the realm of higher education is deficient in many ways and also troubled. The academic environment remains plagued by politics of students and teachers. Other major problems include the limited number of public universities which can accommodate now only partly the higher education seekers. The limited number of the specialised academic institutions for studies and training in the emerging new subjects is also a big problem. The greater number of students aspiring for higher education cannot access higher education privately as they cannot afford the costs.
Thus, it is heartening to note that the present caretaker government is taking an interest in reforming higher education. A recent report in this paper stated that the World Bank (WB) will provide a loan of US$ 100 million for higher education. The important thing now is to make the best use of this loan promptly. As there will be an elected government, according to the announced road map of the Election Commission after 2008 following national elections, the contemplated reforms should be speeded up so that the greater part of these can be completed or nearly so done by that time by the caretaker government. This is stressed because reforms may hit snags with a politically elected government in office. The present government, free from political considerations and working in a straight forward manner to achieve targets, is better suited to push through these reforms earnestly and with effectiveness.
Some major aspects of reforms would not involve any expenditures such as the one of restricting by law campus politics. But it should be done in a manner that future governments would be obliged to follow such a decision. The public universities are strapped for funds and this can be met right away by immediately raising by a small margin their various student fees and charges. The same are so low at present compared to private higher educational institutions, that guardians should find the raising of the fees and charges to logical levels in the public universities, hardly objectionable. Whereas per semester tuition charge in a private university costs at least Taka 40,000 the same is only several hundred takas in a public university. Thus, even a hundred per cent raise in student fees in the public universities should not be looked at as causing hardships to the guardians. But the increased fees can be of great benefit to shore up the financial situation of the public universities. Then, there are the aspects of public university teachers illegally staying abroad and not properly discharging their duties at home. Hard decisions can be taken in these matters with a view to getting their services or to restrict more teachers from leaving, by providing them more facilities and incentives here at their respective places of duties. The same will not cost much but will lend positively to the teaching effort in the public universities.
The WB loan should preferably be spent to create additional physical facilities in the public universities . Buildings and other facilities can be expanded so that it becomes possible to much increase the number of enrolment in these universities or double shifts can be introduced along with recruitment of additional teachers and staff. Steps in this direction will notably reduce the problem of admission seekers in higher education with modest financial abilities. A part of the loan may also be spent on establishing new public universities and introducing new disciplines in them as well as for the setting up of specialised institutions for study and training related to the economically important emerging fields.
Curriculum changes or adjustments have been pending in the public universities in some areas. Reform activities should aim to complete such changes and adjustments so that suitable human resources can be created having up-to-date knowledge and skills for application in different sectors of the economy.
Thus, it is heartening to note that the present caretaker government is taking an interest in reforming higher education. A recent report in this paper stated that the World Bank (WB) will provide a loan of US$ 100 million for higher education. The important thing now is to make the best use of this loan promptly. As there will be an elected government, according to the announced road map of the Election Commission after 2008 following national elections, the contemplated reforms should be speeded up so that the greater part of these can be completed or nearly so done by that time by the caretaker government. This is stressed because reforms may hit snags with a politically elected government in office. The present government, free from political considerations and working in a straight forward manner to achieve targets, is better suited to push through these reforms earnestly and with effectiveness.
Some major aspects of reforms would not involve any expenditures such as the one of restricting by law campus politics. But it should be done in a manner that future governments would be obliged to follow such a decision. The public universities are strapped for funds and this can be met right away by immediately raising by a small margin their various student fees and charges. The same are so low at present compared to private higher educational institutions, that guardians should find the raising of the fees and charges to logical levels in the public universities, hardly objectionable. Whereas per semester tuition charge in a private university costs at least Taka 40,000 the same is only several hundred takas in a public university. Thus, even a hundred per cent raise in student fees in the public universities should not be looked at as causing hardships to the guardians. But the increased fees can be of great benefit to shore up the financial situation of the public universities. Then, there are the aspects of public university teachers illegally staying abroad and not properly discharging their duties at home. Hard decisions can be taken in these matters with a view to getting their services or to restrict more teachers from leaving, by providing them more facilities and incentives here at their respective places of duties. The same will not cost much but will lend positively to the teaching effort in the public universities.
The WB loan should preferably be spent to create additional physical facilities in the public universities . Buildings and other facilities can be expanded so that it becomes possible to much increase the number of enrolment in these universities or double shifts can be introduced along with recruitment of additional teachers and staff. Steps in this direction will notably reduce the problem of admission seekers in higher education with modest financial abilities. A part of the loan may also be spent on establishing new public universities and introducing new disciplines in them as well as for the setting up of specialised institutions for study and training related to the economically important emerging fields.
Curriculum changes or adjustments have been pending in the public universities in some areas. Reform activities should aim to complete such changes and adjustments so that suitable human resources can be created having up-to-date knowledge and skills for application in different sectors of the economy.