Challenges and priorities for the next elected government

Like millions of ordinary citizens, I am hopeful that in February 2026, our beloved motherland Bangladesh will once again witness a free, fair, and peaceful general election through which democratic governance will be restored and citizens will regain their democratic rights.
Having been deeply involved in the international education sector for over 25 years, I have closely observed how, over the past decade and a half, Bangladesh's education system has been systematically weakened. The next elected government must, therefore, make education system reform one of its highest national priorities.
This reform must not be routine or cosmetic-rather it has to be transformational, reshaping every level of the system starting from pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher secondary, university (public and private), technical, and madrasa education. A comprehensive reassessment is needed to identify the knowledge and skills required for the future workforce.
At the same time, special emphasis must be placed on ethics, morality, patriotism, and humanity, so that the next generation can build a self-reliant, compassionate, and prosperous Bangladesh.
A strong, inclusive, and future-ready education system is one of the key prerequisites for Bangladesh's long-term development. Therefore, the next government's education policy must place reform and restructuring at the very core of national reform priorities.
PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION-- KEY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS:
Firstly, there is a critical shortage of quality teachers, as many schools lack qualified and well-trained educators. The curriculum itself presents significant limitations, being devoid of child-friendly, life-orientated, and skill-based learning approaches. High dropout rates persist, driven largely by poverty and child labour that force students to leave school prematurely. Poor infrastructure remains endemic, with many rural schools lacking adequate classrooms, sanitation facilities, and safe water. Additionally, there is severely limited provision of extra-curricular activities in both urban and rural areas. Particularly in urban centres, most schools lack appropriate playgrounds and recreational facilities.
The government must recruit sufficient qualified and trained teachers whilst providing continuous professional development training. The curriculum requires fundamental reform to become future-orientated, child-centred, and skill-orientated, with special focus on English language learning. Introducing free nutritious snacks would encourage school attendance, whilst promoting the use of digital and creative learning materials in classrooms would modernise pedagogy.
SECONDARY EDUCATION-- BRIDGING THE QUALITY DIVIDE: The outdated and irrelevant curriculum needs comprehensive reform to become modern and future-focused. A significant quality gap between urban and rural areas remains a major source of inequality. Exam-driven learning, characterised by rote memorisation and excessive examinations, limits creativity and critical thinking.
The curriculum must be revised to make it contemporary and competency-based. Modern laboratories, ICT facilities, and libraries should be established in rural schools to bridge the urban-rural divide. Technical and vocational education must be expanded within the secondary level, whilst teacher training programmes should be aligned with international standards and focus on continuous professional development.
HIGHER EDUCATION-- ALIGNING LEARNING WITH EMPLOYMENT MARKETS: A critical mismatch exists between curriculum and employment needs, as university education often fails to prepare graduates for real-world jobs. Research and innovation suffer from limited funding and institutional capacity. Political interference-manifested through session jams, instability, and biased recruitment-undermines quality and merit. The absence of globally relevant curricula means courses often fail to meet international benchmarks. Weak transition from education to employment results in graduates whose skills do not match labour market demands.
Universities must introduce modern, career-orientated, and research-driven curricula. Funding for academic and applied research requires substantial increase. Transparent recruitment processes, university autonomy, and a politics-free academic environment must be ensured. International collaboration and joint research initiatives should be strengthened.
EDUCATION PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT GOVERNMENT: To make education the cornerstone of Bangladesh's future, the following policy actions should be included in the next government's election manifesto:
Establish a national education reform commission: An independent, professional body should be created to design and implement both short- and long-term reform plans with a clear roadmap for all levels of education.
Increase education investment: At least 5.0 per cent of GDP should be allocated to ensure equitable and quality education for all-bringing Bangladesh closer to international benchmarks.
Introduce student loans for higher education: Low-interest, long-term student loans should be made available for higher education, payable once graduates enter employment.
Launch a digital education revolution: Internet and e-learning access must be expanded to rural areas, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated into curricula at all levels to prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Promote skill-based education: Learning must become life-orientated and career-focused from primary to tertiary levels, ensuring graduates possess employable skills.
Empower teachers as nation-builders: Enhanced salaries, training opportunities, and social recognition would attract and retain quality educators whilst raising professional standards.
Ensure access to sports facilities: For balanced physical and mental development, students at all levels require adequate sports facilities. This would not only promote healthy growth and discipline but also help identify and nurture potential athletes who can represent Bangladesh in international competitions such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games.
CONCLUSION: Education is not merely a political promise-it is the foundation upon which a nation's future is built. The incoming government must commit to developing an education system that is modern, inclusive, ethical, and skill-based.
If major political parties include clear, credible education roadmaps in their election manifestos, they will not only restore public trust but also instil hope that such visions can truly be implemented.
A poor education system is the root cause of most of our problems. If we can address the fundamental issues within our education system, many other national challenges will be mitigated.
Shahin Reza is country director - Bangladesh & Nepal at OxfordAQA and managing director of EduCan International.
shahinreza74@hotmail.com