A common adage in the legal profession is "Ignorance of law is no excuse," which implies that lack of legal knowledge or education cannot be used as a justification to resolve a legal matter. This highlights the need of legal education. Although legal education is guaranteed at the postsecondary level in Bangladesh, there isn much opportunity for secondary legal education. In addition, a large number of people are ignorant of their constitutional rights.
Education is the development of human sense and it increases ones power to think and develop their mind. Likewise, legal education is a science which provides knowledge of certain principals and provisions of law and a countries legal system. With a view to forming and upholding justice and equity in the society, there is no alternative of legal education. In Bangladesh, most of the secondary level students are not aware of their basic fundamental rights as well as their constitutional rights. As current students are the future of this country, they should have idea about the legal system of the country they live in.
The students of this country should have knowledge regarding constitution rights, human rights, laws relating land disputes, basic civil and criminal laws. By knowing their rights they can teach other illiterate persons along with their family members about their fundamental rights, constitution rights. Also, by knowing the legal system of the country, it may create a soft corner for law and legal professionals among the students which will indulge them intopolitics, research , advocacy, corporate jobs and other legal professions.
Quality legal education will produce quality future politicians for the country. Legal education will also create a deep sense of patriotism among the students. By providing legal knowledge to the secondary level students they will know more aboutstate policy as well as foreign policy of their country and international relationship among different countries and have some idea about international affairs.
In Bangladesh many students don have clear idea about law professions, advocacy or corporate jobs. By providing legal knowledge students will get a crystal clear idea about legal professions. Last but not least, as I said previously ignorance of law is no excuse which dictates that if any student doesn know his duties and obligations and violates any legal obligations he will be punished no matter he knows the law or not. Thus it is best for all the students to know about law and the legal system and also their rights and duties in order to make the nation just, pure, clean and lawful.
Studying legal systems in school level can promote civic education by fostering an understanding of the legal and political systems of their country. This can encourage active citizenship and engagement in democratic processes.
Legal education often involves critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills. Introducing these concepts early on can help students develop these skills, which are valuable in various academic and professional contexts.
For students in school level help them to grow interested in pursuing careers in law or related fields, exposure to legal concepts and principles at a younger age can provide a foundation for further study and career exploration.
Learning about legal principles and ethical considerations can help students develop a stronger sense of ethics and morality, guiding their behaviour and decision-making.
Legal knowledge is a human science which furnishes the legal issues to a students mind. According to article 17 of the Constitution of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh states that, "the state shall adopt effective measures for establishing a uniform mass oriented an universal system for education extending free and compulsory education to all children." Which indicates the right of free and compulsory education for all citizens? So, education is a constitutional right for the citizens of Bangladesh.
If a student doesn know that education is a constitutional right then how come. Again, if a secondary level student does not know that Supreme Court consists of High Court Division and Appellate Division then it will be a matter of shame for that student and also for the Education system of Bangladesh. In a TV programme, school and college level students were asked for the name of the then current minister of law and alas! They couldn give the proper answer. Through this example we can assume that the basic sense of law and legal system of the country is absent among the students of secondary level. So, it is high time to incorporate legal education in school curriculum by following some recommendations,
1. Curriculum Overload: Schools already have a crowded curriculum, and adding legal education may further burden students and teachers. Its essential to strike a balance and integrate legal education into existing subjects where appropriate.
2. Teacher Training: Teachers may require specialized training to effectively teach legal concepts and principles, which may not be readily available in all contexts.
3. Cultural Sensitivity: Legal education needs to be culturally sensitive and relevant to the context in which it is taught. Curriculum development should consider the local legal system, cultural norms, and societal values.
4. Availability of quality teachers: To make this happen, there is no alternative of assuring quality teachers in every school. Till now LAW is not a cadre of Bangladesh civil service (BCS- education) . If the Government ensures Law and legal education as a cadre of BCS, highly skilled and qualified teachers could be incorporated in the schools and thus solving the problem of quality teachers. It may also reduce job crisis and create a massive opportunity against the post of law teacher.
5. Lessen curriculum overload: At present time it is true that students are going through immense pressure for the new curriculum implemented on them but it is also true that legal education is crucial at present time. Therefore, if legal education as a compulsory subject may create extra burden for the students then the education board may insert a chapter incorporating LAW in the secondary level by which students will know their fundamental and human rights and other essential laws such as constitutional laws, basic civil and criminal laws, important land laws, fundamental principles of state policy, basic information about Bar council exam as well as Judiciary, voting system, some norms and crucial customs& usage which is relevant in our day to day life.
6. Providing proper resources: Ministry of Education must provide precise, informative and collective study materials from which students can gain proper knowledge about the legal education. Here, we can compare native countries legal education system and find out their pros and cons and finally incorporate a quality study materials. There shall be a specific syllabus and marks eg.50 marks by which students would be examined.
Overall, while there are clear benefits to incorporating legal education into the school curriculum, its essential to address the challenges and ensure that it is implemented in a thoughtful and sustainable manner.
Collaboration between educational institutions, legal experts, and policymakers is crucial to developing effective legal education programs. Knowledge is the best weapon ever to rule the world and legal education is one of the weapons to rule the society and uphold justice in our surroundings. Legal education wills the students to identify social Norms, human behaviour and actions in which they will develop their intellectual powers. By incorporating legal education in the prior stage of education, other students who are not graduates of law can have a crystal clear idea about law and legal system and uphold justice in the society they live in.
They can also use their legal minds in all sphere of life such as in their academics, business, and politics and so on.
The writer is a Law Student, University of Asia Pacific
