Teaching and higher education
Monday, 20 August 2007
PUBLIC universities and institutions of higher learning in the country have reportedly been suffering generally from not having adequate number of teachers, on the one hand, and not getting dedicated teaching from the available teachers, on the other. The shortage of teachers outright is the outcome of many of them having gone abroad for higher studies at foreign institutions. The teachers who have gone abroad are not returning in most cases.
What can be an effective strategy against this malaise ? It appears that the first thing in order is a proper motivational atmosphere for the teachers of public universities and institutions. Compared to the much better paid teachers at private universities, their salaries are still found to be substantially lower in comparison even after several revisions. Thus, the salaries of teachers of public universities and institutes must be raised to be at par with the ones in private institutions.
After having done this, rules and regulations will have to be made afresh and strictly enforced to prohibit or limit their outside involvement in academic work for a remuneration. No less important would be devising mechanisms so that the teachers who go abroad feel obligated to return to the country to resume their teaching activities. It should be absolutely arranged before their leaving that they would have to return and serve in their own country.
Aminul Islam
Maghbazar, Dhaka
What can be an effective strategy against this malaise ? It appears that the first thing in order is a proper motivational atmosphere for the teachers of public universities and institutions. Compared to the much better paid teachers at private universities, their salaries are still found to be substantially lower in comparison even after several revisions. Thus, the salaries of teachers of public universities and institutes must be raised to be at par with the ones in private institutions.
After having done this, rules and regulations will have to be made afresh and strictly enforced to prohibit or limit their outside involvement in academic work for a remuneration. No less important would be devising mechanisms so that the teachers who go abroad feel obligated to return to the country to resume their teaching activities. It should be absolutely arranged before their leaving that they would have to return and serve in their own country.
Aminul Islam
Maghbazar, Dhaka