It is quite disturbing to note that when many existing private universities are failing to impart quality education owing to a weak infrastructure and shortage of teachers, there does not seem to be any stop in putting forward proposals for opening new ones. According to a report of this newspaper on Sunday, recently, three entrepreneurs have placed proposals before the government for temporary permission to open private universities. These are Chittagong City University, Bogra University and the University of Modern Technology, Dhaka. At present, there are 95 private universities and 38 public universities in the country, offering tertiary education to about 32 lakh students with the purpose of ensuring quality education.

 Majority of private universities in the capital are still far away from fulfilling the requirement of founding such institutions. Most of the existing private universities have failed to provide a congenial educational environment and quality education due to shortage of competent teachers and administrative persons, such as vice-chancellors, pro-VC and treasurers. Running universities with part-time teachers has become a culture. There are allegations of corruption and irregularities against many of these private universities.  That the government gives permission to private universities under pressure from political leaders and businessmen is not a healthy trend. Most of the private universities do not have their own permanent campuses, and classes are held in rented buildings in commercial or residential areas.

Although many feel that the quality of education in a private university is not up the mark, the fact of the matter is these higher seats of learning has now become an integral part of Bangladesh’s education system and they are indeed contributing to generation of graduates when number of public universities and their seats are very limited. Many of the private universities are producing certificate-oriented graduates and post-graduates in exchange for a huge amount of money. In many cases certificates are ‘sold’ in exchange for money. And the parents and guardians of the students are the hapless victims of it.

In fact, the quality of tertiary level education in the country is dismal. Coaching centres are mushrooming and their owners are gaining financially. Some coaching centres are taking the shape of universities, and a section of public university teachers are getting involved in those making a bonfire of their ethics. The quality gap between a public and a private university in general has to be reduced for development of a healthy and balanced tertiary education system. The relevant authorities must take steps to stem the rot and improve the quality of education in the country.