In recent decades, Bangladesh has undergone significant economic and social changes. Despite this progress, electoral politics and development priorities have often fallen short in addressing crucial issues such as implementing a skill-centered education system, creating job opportunities, reducing poverty, enhancing social protection, and improving disaster management. Elections have typically revolved around sustaining political power rather than advancing a national vision, leading to policy taking a back seat to politics.
As the country approaches the 2026 elections, there appears to be little deviation from this pattern. This entrenched practice has hindered the establishment of a policy-focused democratic culture. Unlike established democracies where election manifestos detail clear policy objectives, implementation strategies, and timelines, Bangladeshi political parties tend to promise lofty development goals without detailing the means to achieve them. The absence of robust policy research institutions within major parties exacerbates this gap, resulting in campaign rhetoric overshadowing genuine strategic planning. Campaign pledges at the grassroots level often focus on popular demands like infrastructure projects or financial incentives, neglecting fundamental reforms in education, employment, and governance. Until the nation’s politics transcends short-term populism and embraces long-term strategizing, true development will remain a mere election slogan rather than a national priority.
Unfortunately, education is an area that political parties frequently fail to prioritize in their election manifestos, beyond generic commitments. While strides have been made in improving access to education, the quality of education remains a persistent challenge. Although enrollment rates and gender equality in schools have improved significantly, the education system still struggles to equip students with practical skills demanded by the job market. Youth unemployment continues to escalate as the number of graduates surpasses available job opportunities. During election periods, politicians often promise more educational institutions and seats without addressing critical issues such as outdated curricula, inadequate vocational training, and insufficient investment in research and innovation. Without substantial reforms linking education to employability, Bangladesh risks churning out graduates ill-prepared for the workforce.
This deficiency is evident in the surplus of graduates produced annually in Bangladesh, many of whom face unemployment or underemployment due to a lack of market-relevant skills. This situation is particularly pronounced among graduates of the National University originating from district and upazila level colleges, where a shortage of qualified teachers, modern educational resources, and adequate academic facilities hampers the learning process. The current education system often functions more as a factory producing underutilized graduates than as a platform fostering quality education. This underscores the urgent need for educational restructuring and initiatives to enhance skills development.
Utilizing existing resources, Bangladesh could expand skills development efforts. The country boasts 50 polytechnic colleges along with two specialized institutions—the Bangladesh Institute of Glass and Ceramic and the Graphic Arts Institute—which annually produce a substantial number of skilled diploma engineers. These graduates are highly sought after in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering fields. Unlike unskilled laborers, these diploma engineers possess the technical proficiencies required for lucrative employment opportunities abroad. The government could implement a strategic plan to facilitate the export of this skilled workforce through a structured policy. For instance, workers could be deployed abroad at no cost, with a provision that a percentage of their monthly earnings contributes to a government fund until migration expenses are recovered. A nominal service fee could also be levied. This approach would not only ensure higher salaries for skilled workers, aligning with rates from countries like India and Sri Lanka, but also bolster the country’s foreign currency reserves.
The limitations of capitalism as an economic model have become increasingly apparent, especially in developing nations like Bangladesh. While capitalism has generated job prospects, it has also exacerbated inequality and economic dependency, leaving vulnerable segments of the population at a disadvantage. In Bangladesh, the negative repercussions of capitalism, such as economic disparity, social marginalization, wealth concentration, reliance on wage-based employment, and limited entrepreneurship opportunities, are becoming more pronounced. Analysis of data related to natural resources, population growth, economic size, and job creation suggests that the formal job sector may not absorb the growing number of graduates. This reality necessitates a fundamental review of the country’s economic trajectory and the exploration of alternative, non-capitalist economic models capable of fostering self-employment and community-based enterprises.
An alternative system could incorporate cooperative frameworks, social business initiatives, and targeted government support to nurture a self-sufficient community economy. This approach would not only alleviate poverty but also enhance social protection and community resilience against economic and environmental shocks. By promoting social enterprises, cooperative ventures, and local production networks, Bangladesh could progress towards an inclusive and sustainable development pathway. This model would empower citizens as active economic contributors rather than passive job seekers, transforming the economy into one grounded in fairness, solidarity, and self-sufficiency.
Bangladesh finds itself at a crucial juncture in its political and economic evolution. However, the dominance of personality-driven politics and partisan conflicts continues to overshadow the imperative for evidence-based policymaking, impeding advancements in education, employment, and social welfare. To break this cycle, the nation must