It is disappointing that the interim government, despite being in office for a year, has not made significant reforms in the education sector. There were high hopes for decisive actions to enhance quality and address existing inequalities. However, the government has not met these expectations and has struggled to manage the unrest following the Awami League government’s downfall.
In the past year, students and teachers have protested for various reasons such as salary raises, exam postponements, and automatic promotions. Educational institutions have experienced teacher resignations, politically motivated appointments, and public humiliation of educators. These disruptions have not been limited to universities, as protests have also occurred in schools and colleges, often demanding the removal of institutional leaders, highlighting the government’s failure to restore order. Despite establishing 11 commissions for state reform post-July uprising, education was excluded from the reform agenda, raising questions about this neglect.
While it may not be possible to overhaul the entire sector within a year, the government has not even undertaken feasible actions during this period. Education experts suggest that the government could have at least formed a reform commission to lay the groundwork for essential changes for the incoming administration. The ongoing disturbances could have been managed more effectively. For example, the mass resignation of public university vice-chancellors led to disruptions in academic and administrative activities, causing prolonged interruptions for students. At KUET, academic operations were halted for over five months until a new VC was appointed recently.
Primary, secondary, and higher secondary education have also faced setbacks. The sudden reversion to the 2012 curriculum for grades 6 to 12 resulted in confusion. Moreover, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) failed to meet its deadline to revise 50 textbooks by December 2024, delaying nationwide distribution until April 2025. This delay left many students without complete textbooks at the start of the academic year, widening learning disparities. While a consultative committee was established for primary education, progress in implementing its recommendations has been unsatisfactory. Furthermore, the cancellation of HSC and equivalent exams, postponed during the July unrest, was seen as a significant misstep.
This situation must change. There is a strong call for the government to prioritize the education sector and implement necessary reforms. Experts recommend creating a specialized, non-partisan commission to stabilize the sector and devise a long-term policy framework for future administrations. This proposal merits serious consideration as a year has already been lost to uncertainty. The government must act decisively without further delay.