Editorial
Decline in science education
Address root causes
Aresearch by the non-government organization Bangladesh Freedom Foundation reveals a drop in science education at secondary and higher secondary levels in our country. In a competitive world dominated by science and technology, it comes as disheartening news. It goes without saying that newer scientific innovations in today's globalised world are integral to development and economic growth. Most countries are providing ample opportunities for their scientists to come up with cutting-edge inventions. However, advancement in scientific research is not possible without having science education strengthened at school and college levels. If we really want to keep pace with the outside world and make a mark in world economy, we will have to start by putting a special emphasis on science education at secondary and higher secondary levels.
The report has cited that business education helps students get a job in financial institutions and corporate sectors. But we think that science education is instrumental in improving productivity both in the industrial and agricultural sectors. Countries that are progressing rapidly have linked science and technology to economic development priorities. Unless a nation has a scientific temper, it will always be at the losing end of the bargain with other countries.
Therefore, the committee formed by the education ministry to find ways to popularise science education should come up with a comprehensive plan to give it a central place in the education policy. Steps should be taken to create more jobs for science students. Furthermore, the UGC should allocate a lot more money for research facilities at the tertiary levels to keep our aspiring scientists from going abroad.
We urge the government's immediate intervention in this sphere because it is the prime minister who has advocated the vision of a digital Bangladesh. How can we possibly materialize this vision unless increasing number of students embrace science education?
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