About Bangladesh
Bangladesh, officially the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (Bengali: গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ Gonoprojatontri Bangladesh), is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India to its west, north and east; Burma to its southeast and separated from Nepal and Bhutan by the Chicken’s Neck corridor. To its south, it faces the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh is the world’s eighth-most populous country, with over 160 million people, and among the most densely populated countries. It forms part of the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal, along with the neighboring Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura.
History of Bangladesh
The 13th and 15th Century From the 13th century A.D. the Buddhists and Hindus were swamped by the flood of Muslim conquerors and the tide of Islam up to 18th century. Sometimes there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi and Ilyas Shahi dynasties, while at other times they ruled on behalf of the Imperial seat of Delhi.
From the 15th century, the Europeans, namely Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D., when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947 the subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Present Bangladesh became the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy of East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural differences and economic disparity between the two wings.
The Language Movement The Language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bangla as a state language may be termed as the first step towards independence. Political and economic deprivation of the Bengalese prompted Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, to put forward in 1966 his historic six points, the “Magna Carta” which in effect structured the foundation for East Pakistan’s future independence.
The War of Liberation In the 1970 elections, even though the Awami League emerged as the largest party in Pakistan Parliament, it was not allowed to form the government by the ruling military junta. In the backdrop of a non-cooperation movement launched against the military regime by Awami League. Bangabandhu declared at a historic public meeting held at Ramna Race Course (renamed Suhrawardy Uddyan) on 7 March, 1971, attended by around 2 million people, “The struggle this tune is the struggle for freedom, the struggle this tune is the struggle for independence.” It was a defacto declaration of independence.
Thus in a pre-planned manner on 25th March 1971. The Pakistan army embarked on what may be termed as history’s worst genocide. A military crackdown was ordered, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was arrested and taken away to West Pakistan. But just before he was arrested he sent out a call for the liberation war to begin, known as the Declaration of War of Independence, this hurriedly written historic document read as follows:
“Pak Army suddenly attacked EPR Base at Pilkhana, Rajarbagh Police Line and killing citizens. Street battles are going on in every street of Dacca. Chittagong. I appeal to the nations of the world for help. Our freedom fighters are gallantly fighting with the enemies to free the motherland. I appeal and order you all in the name of Almighty Allah to fight to the last drop of blood to liberate the country. Ask Police, EPR, Bengal Regiment and Ansar to stand by you and to fight. No compromise. Victory is ours. Drive out the enemies from the holy soil of motherland. Convey this message to all Awami League leaders, workers and other patriots and lovers of freedom. May Allah bless you. Joy Bangla”.
Independence After nine months of war, the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered in Dhaka on 16th December. 1971 after killing an estimated three million people. Due to the heroic resistance and supreme sacrifices of the valiant freedom fighters Bangladesh finally became an independent sovereign state. Father of the Nation Bangahandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founder- president of Bangladesh. He was subsequently assassinated on 15th August, 1975 by a group of conspirators.
Education Management
Education System in Bangladesh is being managed and administered by two Ministries, Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Division in association with the attached Departments and Directorates as well as a number of autonomous bodies.
Ministry of Education
This Ministry is concerned with policy formulation, planning, monitoring, evaluation and execution of plans and programs related to post primary secondary and higher education including technical & madrasha education. The line directorates, viz.. Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and Directorate of Technical Education are responsible for management and supervision of institutions under their respective control.
Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE)
This Directorate is headed by a Director-General who is responsible for administration, management and control of post primary secondary and higher education including madrasha and other special types of education. It is assisted by sub-ordinate Offices located at the division, district and upazila levels.
The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE)
This Directorate is headed by a Director-General and is responsible for the management and administration of technical & vocational institutions like polytechnics, monotechnics and other similar types of institutes. It has Inspectorate Offices at the Divisional Headquarters.
Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU)
This organization functions as a corporate body within the MoE. This is headed by the Minister of Education as Chairman and the Education Secretary as the Secretary-General. The Commission consists of 69 members constituted by eminent
educationists and intellectuals interested in educational, scientific and cultural fields of the country. The Secretariat of the Commission is normally headed by a government official designated as Secretary.
Chief Accounts Office (CAO)
In pursuance of the Government policy of decentralization the accounting function of the MoE is done by a separate accounts office under a Chief Accounts Officer (C.A.O).
In addition, the following Staff Departments/Professional Bodies of the MoE perform specialized functions assigned to them:
(i) National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM)
This Academy is the apex training institution under the MoE responsible for providing foundation training to BCS (general education) cadre officers. it also provides in-service training to senior educational administrators and teachers of the secondary and higher secondary levels. This academy is headed by a Director General.
(ii) National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB)
This Board is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education (MoE). It is responsible for the development of curriculum, production and distribution of textbooks at primary, secondary and higher secondary levels.
(iii) Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS)
This organization is responsible for collection, compilation and dissemination of educational information and statistics at various levels and types of education. This organization is the main organ of the MoE responsible for collection and publication of educational data and statistics. It also functions as the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) of the Ministry. It is also the National Coordinator of RINSACA (Regional Informatics for South & Central Asia).
(iv) Directorate of Inspection and Audit (DIA)
This Directorate is headed by a Director and is responsible for inspection and audit aimed at improving the standard of education of the Non-governmental institutions at the secondary level.
Further-more, a number of autonomous bodies have a share in the administration of education.
These are :
(i) University Grants Commission (UGC)
The University Grants Commission is responsible for supervision of the public and private universities and allocation of government grants to them.
(ii) National University
This is a public affiliating university responsible for academic control of all the affiliated colleges offering courses in Graduate level Pass, Honours and Masters and for conducting Bachelor Degree and Masters examinations.
(iii) Education Boards
Eight Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education are responsible for conducting the public examinations such as Junior School Certificate, Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate level public examinations. The
Boards are also responsible for the reorganization of the Non-government and private sector educational institution.
(iv) Madrasha Education Board
This Board is responsible for conducting public examinations such as Junior Dhakil Certificate, Dakhil and Alim levels. The Boards are also responsible for the reorganization of the Non-government madrashas.
(v) Technical Education Board
This Board is entrusted with the task of conducting certificate and diploma examinations in technical education. The Boards are also responsible for the reorganization of the Non-government technical and vocational educational institutions.
(vi) Non-Governmental Teachers’ Registration & Certification Authority (NTRCA)
The NTRCA has been established in February 2005 with the mandate to conduct examination for the registration of successful candidates who would be eligible for appointment in the non-government educational institutions. The NTRCA has been created by the government with the objective of improving the teaching quality of the non-government secondary, graduate and post graduate level teachers excluding public and private universities.