Bangladesh’s education system is a microcosm of its broader societal divisions, structured into three distinct streams—English-medium schools, Bengali-medium institutions, and madrasas. Rather than fostering unity, this tripartite model entrenches ideological and socio-economic disparities, producing citizens with divergent worldviews who struggle to find common ground.
English-medium schools equip students with global competencies, preparing them for success in international arenas. However, their orientation toward Western liberal values often alienates them from the cultural and political fabric of their own nation. Bengali-medium institutions, forming the backbone of the nation’s workforce, instill a sense of nationalism but suffer from outdated curricula and rote-learning methodologies that stifle innovation. Meanwhile, madrasas provide a faith-centered education but frequently remain insulated from contemporary disciplines, limiting their graduates’ opportunities in a modern economy.
This systemic segregation creates a fragmented national identity, where the English-speaking elite dominates discourse, Bengali-medium graduates hang between tradition and modernity, and madrasa-educated youth find themselves economically and socially marginalised. The result is not just an educational divide but a structural chasm that threatens national cohesion.
Therefore, reimagining education as a bridge rather than a barrier is crucial. A holistic model must integrate the strengths of all three streams—where students engage in intellectual exchange across linguistic, ideological, and cultural lines. A curriculum blending Bangla, English, and Arabic should encourage civic engagement, critical thinking, and pluralistic dialogue. We need a system where a madrasa student learns coding alongside religious studies, an English-medium graduate studies Shah Waliullah and Rabindranath Tagore, and all students develop a shared civic consciousness.
Such a transformation is not merely aspirational; it is imperative. The unity and stability of Bangladesh depend on an education system that does not merely inform but transforms, fostering a generation capable of bridging divides and shaping a future built on collaboration rather than division.
