Education policy
Photo: Prito Reza / Driknews
This pertinent news, reported in all dailies on June 01, is an important achievement of the government. The significant fact is that education up to class eight will be free and compulsory! The idea of common public examinations at class five, eight, ten and twelve is also rational. This will ensure uniformity of educational standards all over Bangladesh in the days to come! The moot point however is what will be the mechanism to ensure that education all over the country is actually being imparted compulsorily, to all children up to class eight? One wonders how this is going to be fully ensured, particularly as the very poor, both in urban and rural areas, cannot afford it. Also the children are a potential source of some possible income for these families, which cannot be ignored! Although even for the very poor children, education will be free; who will provide the books and minimum stationeries required, which needs money? This is beyond the financial capacity of a large segment of our population. How does the government plan to address this problem? This is an important matter, and without solving it, the policy will remain in paper only! In my opinion, one way, which is quite possible, is for the government to curtail defence expenditure; given the bilateral and multilateral agreements between nations, both on bilateral and regional basis, as well as the political and peace preserving role of the UN, it is quite feasible and logical, to cut defence expenditure. The chances of regional conflict on any large scale or regular war need not be considered. Given this logical and justified preamble, it will be quite possible for us to curtail investment on heavy equipment. For example, infantry tanks, heavy artillery, naval vessels beyond maritime patrol boats and fighting aircraft need not be procured. These, as well as the required manpower for manning these will not be needed! The funds so saved, can be used to ensure the proper implementation of this nationally very important educational programme. After all, when all is said and done, it is education and not military might, which is the key to national development and progress.
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