Transforming educational institution in a better way
Prof Dr. Md. Abdul Maleque :
Education is a continuous and multiple process of enlightening human beings. This process of imparting education simultaneously happens in primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education everywhere. Nowadays, the problem is that the output of those educational institutes is just the quantity of graduates.
But the quality of graduates is alarmingly decreasing. The knowledge, skills and competencies acquired by the graduates are hardly meeting the needs of the global society. Some institutions are considerably better in preparing quality graduates while most of them are not performing well. Here the question arises as to why do some particular educational institutions perform well while others fail to do so? Where is the gap in the teaching learning process? Where is the problem located? Who are responsible for this? What needs to be done? How much does it cost and save in transforming the educational institutions and learning process as per demand of the global society?
Some basic instruments have been recently introduced following Bloom’s taxonomy for promoting the existing quality in the education sector of Bangladesh. These are (1) Bangladesh Accreditation Council Act (2017); (2) The Bang National Qualification Framework (BNFQ); (3) Template of Outcome Based Education (OBE) Curriculum formulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh. (4) The establishment of Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in 69 universities and (5) Pathways for Individuals and Lifelong Learning. These time-befitting vital documents are already on the table. Now the responsibility goes to the academic head of the higher educational institutions.
It implies the faculty members led by vice chancellors with their team of both public and private universities to update their curriculum and implement them. The recognized axiom reminds us that the investment in education both cash and kind pays the most interest in always and everywhere. The transforming educational institutions can be accelerated from inside with some visible instruments and bodies as follows:
1. One academic calendar is to be designed in a holistic approach. It means to provide support to both faculty and learners for promoting their critical thinking, problem solving ability, skills development and social wellbeing. This academic calendar could be prepared and visualized through a brainstorming workshop participated by all faculty members. Vision and mission statements of the institutions should be shared and exchanged views with learners, officials and support staff. Each of them could share the spirit and participate in the teamwork led by each faculty in the specific sector.
2. Skill Development Institute can organize the knowledge sharing program with vital faculties and the use of technology. The well-equipped classroom, ICT lab, Library and internal study centers with Wi-Fi and internet must be ensured.
3. Research and teaching-learning process must move together. It will reflect In-house workshops which must be organized monthly for faculty development. Multimedia presentations in classroom teaching by each faculty will be more capable of drawing the attention of students. Question-answer method and time to be ensured in every dissemination.
4. Inter-grade and inter-institutional debate competitions may be organized. As a result, the competitive spirit and understanding of students with each other can strengthen the inherent capacity of formal delivery of speech with reasons and counter reasons.
5. The Use of Computer lab: The computer lab of an educational institute must be well equipped with internet connections and Wi-Fi. The faculty & Students must attend the computer lab and learn & practice as per routine.
6. Parents-Teachers Association: Grade-wise parents-teacher meetings must be held so that both of them could share the attitudes of students and the gap of learning. This feedback will obviously help teachers and parents to overcome the weakness and strengthen the education journey.
7. Study-tour: Study tours of each grade must be organized. Teachers will select the innovative institutions and take learners to visit there. Learners will be allowed to interact with each other.
There must be a skill development unit in every educational institute. The Skill Development Unit will effectively conduct an English Proficiency Course or Advanced Course in English for all students in the first semester.
Accordingly, the Skill Development Unit must organize a six- month long ICT skill training course on MS word, Excel, and graphic designs and freelance skills. Each student must attend the skill development course on ICT in the second semester.
Each student in the university must learn two foreign languages other than their mother tongue. The Skill Development Unit must take care of all these skill development activities so that each student can communicate their views in the two foreign languages fluently.
English proficiency, two foreign languages and ICT skill certificate courses must be compulsory in addition to major subjects. Thus students obtaining their graduation course in particular major along with the aforesaid skills will undoubtedly find them more equipped and competent to face the global challenges with success.
Students want jobs after graduation. Universities in both the public and private sector must take it into consideration. The Institute of skill Development of those universities can deliberately empower their students and graduates by enhancing the blending of technical skills and soft skills. It will definitely increase the rate of employability.
In fine, we all recognize that quality education leads to innovation and community as well as the nation always and everywhere. Research and development is a popular phrase in education, innovation and industry. But some higher educational institutions hardly allocate any funds for research for faculty members in the teaching-learning process. The annual report of those institutions shows the evident and the reality. We have to overcome this attitude and allocate a needful research fund to update the knowledge and enhance skills in the teaching-learning process. In order to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities the more investment in education is indispensable and demand of time. It may be applicable for both public and private sectors. Therefore, all responsible decision makers and heads of educational institutions must come forward with commitment to transform the educational institutions for sustainable development.
(The writer is former Director (Training), Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Dhaka).
