The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Saturday called for establishing a reform committee to enhance technical education in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a conference on youth employment at Krishibid Institution in the capital, Devapriya Bhatta-charya, Honourary Fellow of CPD, emphasised the need for quality technical education as a critical factor for the nation's development.
The conference was organised by Citizens' Platform for SDG Implementation.
Debapriya urged the government to not only modernise technical education but also to form a partnership reform committee.
He expressed hope that the government would quickly develop a modern, effective action plan and allocate funds in the next budget, particularly for disadvantaged communities.
Mostafizur Rahman, another CPD honourary fellow, noted that the competitiveness of Bangladesh after transitioning from LDC status will depend on the quality of training provided to students.
He highlighted the importance of aligning training programmes according to the demand in the market.
Md Ruhul Amin, Secretary of the Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment Ministry blamed middlemen for the rising costs of migration.
He said policies are being formulated to regulate this sector.
A platform will be launched in December to share information about employment opportunities for potential migrants.
A social audit report on technical and vocational education was released at the conference. The report indicated that the budget allocation for technical education is disproportionately low in the national budget.
It urged the government to increase funding and implement practical initiatives to fulfill commitments to enhance technical education. The CPD provided recommendations for improving educational standards and infrastructure.
Additionally, the report highlighted findings from a study conducted by CPD researcher Dr Taufiqul Islam Khan, which surveyed students, teachers, and parents involved in technical education programmes. While 67 per cent of institutions reported good infrastructure, only 13 per cent of students expressed satisfaction with the quality of education.
The report also pointed out the lack of necessary materials and equipment, which hinders effective learning. It noted a decline in the percentage of female students in technical education, reflecting broader societal perceptions that affect students' experiences.
The report ended with recommendations to enhance budget implementation for educational activities and increase support for women in technical fields.
