Public money and higher education in Bangladesh
The higher
education in public universities,
colleges and
institutions in Bangladesh is still highly subsidized. But students often leave the country after valuable
education.
Md. Atikur Rahman
Higher education in public universities of our country is still subsidized. Our government spends a lot of public money on public universities, medical colleges, engineering universities and other government institutions. But the deteriorating standard of education in majority of public institutions is a perennial challenge for society as a whole. The handfuls of talented students they produce often leave the country for higher education or better life denying the contribution of public tax money. Against this backdrop, we think public institutions should offer education at a market price in a competitive environment where the demand and supply will play their role.
Public institutions often lack in accountability and commitment on teachers part as well. Nonchalance to students need or absence of research and development are pushing majority of public institutions to a backseat. In a lax environment, students are often failing to appreciate the value of education they get from these institutions as it doesnt cost them dearly. Only some renowned institutions are exceptions.
Subsidy can be justified, firstly, if the subsidy money is targeted to needy students or public institutions are catering to only poor-but-talented students. But majority of the students in public institutions are from well-off families. There is no such policy that favours only the low income groups.
Secondly, subsidy can be justified, if it helps national development. But these institutions seem like developing talents only to serve countries other than Bangladesh. Some may argue that public institutions are highly competitive and only a handful of talented students succeed in getting admitted into the reputed public institutions. As a developing country, the philosophy of education should be developing human resource by catering the best talents. If the public universities levy high tuition, talented students will be attracted by private universities and development oriented governments objective to retain national talents will be further undermined.
Salary is often directly proportional to level of education, quality of the degree, diplomas and academic result. Though the amount of public money spent on the students of colleges and universities are almost same, there is no denial that the job market will value those more who are more capable to perform than others. In our national context college graduates are placed below universities graduates. The quality differences are often evident.
In a poor country, affordability is definitely a big question. Talented students can be awarded generous scholarships on need basis. And why shouldnt the students who can afford pay for their education, when they can spend money on so many other things and luxuries? In public institutions, once students get in, the expensive medical, engineering and other technical degree can be completed at a nominal expense. I suppose able students should bear at least a portion of their expenses. This will improve the quality of education and level of accountability in those institutions.
The writer is Deputy Librarian,
BGMEA University of Fashion Technology (BUFT).
