The number of students studying subjects like physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology sharply decreased in Bangladesh. This sliding trend will make economic development unsustainable in future, experts warn.
In 2016, according to the University Grants Commission's records 15.56 per cent of the students of public universities took physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology as their main subjects of study down from 21.65 per cent in 2012. Of them, 14 per cent of the students took engineering and technical studies as their chosen disciplines of study down from 15.25 per cent in 2012.
The declining interest in studying pure science and technological subjects is alarming and hit the nation's economic development, said educationists.
Educationists say meritorious students now choose business studies in absence of appropriate programme to popularize science education among school and college students. Lacks of good labs, easily understandable science curriculum and good school and college teachers are the main reasons for such a situation.
Limited job opportunity for science students driven by shortage of technology driven industries and shortage of talent teachers are also the reasons behind the falling trend of science students while private universities offer no opportunities to study physics, mathematics, chemistry or biology and focus on subjects like BBA having demand in the job market.
Talking to this correspondent, Mohammad Kaykobad, professor of Computer Science and Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said the students are getting disinterested in studying science at school, college and university. It's very alarming.
Bangladesh with a huge population and limited resources cannot expect to achieve sustained economic development in the 21st century lacking skilled manpower to run science and technology-driven economy, he said.
When the students lose the interest to study science with the policy makers remaining unaware about it, economic development cannot be sustainable.
Educationists say Bangladesh is on the track of becoming a low-middle income country with its reliance on apparel workers, migrant labourers and other unskilled manpower. If the number of science students is continue to decline, the economy would not be sustainable in future.
Economic development to be sustainable must be driven by science and technology-driven industries, said Shahabuddin, Principal of Shiddessory Girl's College. "Not long ago, he recalled, meritorious school students were invariably keen to be in the science group. But thing has been changed in recent days".
He said good teachers could revive school and college students' interest in studying science.
Schools and colleges are not getting good teachers as they offer poor pay.
Educationists say Bangladesh should turn its huge population into human resource by investing in science and technology education as it would be more profitable and sustainable in the long run. Policy makers should set a clear goal of popularizing science education and set the country on the path of science and technology-driven economy.
