JBS Vol 11. Num 2. 2009 - Secondary Education in Bangladesh: History and Contextual Perspectives

Secondary schools are vested with the responsibility of imparting knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for
individuals to fit into society for development. This article analyses the development of secondary education in
Bangladesh in different periods of time and socio-political contexts, especially in the context of British and Pakistani
rule over Bangladesh. A number of commissions and committees were formed at different times to introduce
changes in the education system. Accordingly, secondary education was revised with emphasis on the development
of an all-round individual, female education, the acquisition of quality education, curriculum and assessment, and
the inculcation of technical and science education. The system of educational administration was decentralized to
promote school-based management, financial transparency and teacher empowerment. The non-government schools
and madrasas have always been encouraged to play an active role in providing secondary level education in
Bangladesh. A new education policy for Bangladesh was proposed in September, 2009 after the restoration of
democratic process in the country. At the secondary education level broad-based change is needed to increase
access, equity and relevance. Furthermore, in conjunction with globalization and national demands, educational
objectives, structure and system, curriculum, education-budget, public-private partnership, government-NGO
cooperation, corruption-free governance are all vital issues to address, aiming to make secondary education
worthwhile.