Big investments in education and training are prescribed for countries like Bangladesh where infrastructural facilities are not adequate. Since the SDGs are set for 2030, there should be a paradigm shift in development with special attention to education and training
Investment in human development is by far the best option open to all countries -only more so to the developing nations. Bangladesh now aims high in terms of economic growth. After the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the country has now set its sight on successfully achieving the targets as laid down by the United Nations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is exactly in this context, the imperatives for further investment in human resource development have come to the fore. At a seminar titled, "SDGs and Voluntary National Review (VNR) in Bangladesh: Perspective Citizen Participation", the speakers advocated for planned investment in human capital for inclusive growth. In a country with an oversize population, an effective demographic plan should receive top priority on its own -no matter if there is a vision for SDGs or not. The SDGs only provides a sense of purpose with the goals clearly drawn and analysed.
Now the next step is to decide on the ways and means to achieving the targets within the stipulated time. At the seminar emphasis was put on working out strategies and action plans for achieving the targets. First, institutional capacity building proves crucial in this regard. The civil society has asked for 'enough space' to participate in the development process. Their inclusion is not a debatable subject because of their privileged positions. Even more crucial is the capacity building of people belonging to the underprivileged and disadvantaged segment. This points at the priority areas of investment. Surely education should figure at the top of the list. The current investment of 1.9 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in education falls far short of the need. No wonder Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman who presided over the seminar suggested at least an investment of 17 per cent of the GDP in human development.
The reason why he made such a suggestion is quite clear. Apart from quality education, which unfortunately is absent in the country now, there is need for training, research, analysis, innovation and advancement of technological know-how. All this cannot be achieved overnight and without creating institutional facilities. It is because of this, big investments in education and training are prescribed for countries like Bangladesh where infrastructural facilities are not adequate. Since the SDGs are set for 2030, there should be a paradigm shift in development with special attention to education and training.
The kind of syllabi and curricula now introduced under the general education system does not rise up to the challenges of the time. Frequent experimentation with those does more harm than good. So the need is to strengthen the format of the steps of education first. All the nonsensical experiments should be stopped in favour of imparting education of international standard. Once this done, the rest of the tasks would prove easier. For example, research, analysis in laboratory or in an outdoor environment will provide for capacity building in educational institutions. Specialised training centres will give the finishing touch to developing human capacities and skills. Thus a package will be ready for honing in on human potential.
