Have you completed your graduation but still been unable to find a job relevant to your degree? This is not a persuasive question; rather, it is the harsh reality the young face nowadays. Data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has shown that around 885,000 university graduates were unemployed, accounting for 13.5 percent of the graduate population, in 2024, which is a deeply concerning figure.
It is vital to look at why education always comes first. Education plays a crucial role in improving and civilizing any society, often regarded as a powerful weapon for development. However, education itself is not static at all. It continuously evolves in response to new innovations and changing times. Therefore, the education system must also adapt and transform to keep pace with the modern world. In the past, when the internet was not available, the structure and methods of education were different compared to the present world. Today, with rapid technological advancements and technologies like smartphones in almost every hand, individuals can instantly access information on any topic they do not understand.
The use of smartphones has grown. At present, 72.4 percent of households and 57 percent of individuals in the country are phone users who have smartphones. Further, the smartphone penetration rate among all mobile users in Bangladesh will be 62-65 percent by 2026. In the age of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, it is possible to access information in nanoseconds. The percentage of Internet users using AI regularly in Bangladesh stands at 96 percent at present, with the daily usage of AI in the workplace at 62 percent, as reported by the Telenor Asia Digital Lives Decoded 2025.
Now, a concerning question is: under the changing context, should education still be centered on memorization? An education system designed in the past, 50/60 years ago, is no longer sufficient; it needs to be modernized further, though modernization has consistently been given emphasis in Bangladesh. What should learners exactly learn in the modern classroom? A modern education system emphasizes holistic development, enabling students to think critically. It provides tremendous opportunities to acquire practical skills, gain proper knowledge, and develop the ability to conduct meaningful research.
It is worth mentioning that the basic education process in Bangladesh starts with primary school, secondary school, college, and university, followed by job-oriented learning. If students are introduced to advanced technology without being given the necessary foundational exposure, what can be expected to happen? They may mostly struggle, much like someone trying to stay afloat in deep water without knowing how to swim, and misuse technology.
People primarily gain knowledge through their surroundings and later through formal education. If the learning process becomes monotonous due to an excessive emphasis on rote learning, though it is needed to a certain extent, it limits students’ ability to think critically. This requires that the structure of education be designed in such a way that, from an early age, children learn to think independently and can connect themselves with the present. Gradually, they grow and later gain access to more resources where they develop their intellectual abilities. Consequently, they will be able to transform their ideas into reality.
Rote memorization, on the contrary, hampers independent thinking, and if it continues to dominate the system, learners will remain confined within narrow boundaries. Education should instead be simple and clear, and serve as a safe space for learning and thinking where new ideas can emerge. To meet the demands of the 21st century, the education system must prioritize relevant and practical subjects instead of memorization. Its structure should prepare learners to engage with ongoing innovations and adapt to an ever-changing world.
Bangladesh is gradually developing in multiple sectors. It has already achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of satellites and research centers, but with various limitations. Many students in Bangladesh still graduate from educational institutions lacking the practical, cognitive, and adaptability skills required in today’s competitive world, despite expanded educational opportunities and continuous curriculum improvements.
Gaps are significant within the education system in Bangladesh and in real-world readiness. But these gaps often become more visible when students enter the workforce, where they struggle to adapt to real-world demands. Research quoted by the World Bank indicates that more than 30 to 45 percent of university graduates in Bangladesh are jobless for one to two years after graduating, and there is a dire lack of employable students who possess soft skills, adaptability, business communication, and hands-on experience in technical skills.
Furthermore, based on the government and development policy reports by the Technical and Madrasah Education Division (TMED), a lack of practical cognitive training, problem-solving skills, and industry-academy collaboration is still a big challenge in human capital development in Bangladesh.
The misalignment between Bangladesh’s existing curriculum and the rapidly evolving job market is slowing the pace of adaptation and progress. Since the country is already dealing with a range of structural and socio-economic challenges, these limitations only add to the difficulty and make those issues even harder to manage. Consequently, unresolved problems tend not only to persist but also to intensify over time, ultimately hindering the nation’s overall development trajectory.
To address these, the education system must be strengthened and developed into a solid foundation. The more structured, holistic, technology-based, intellectually enriching, creative, and practical the education system becomes, the more effectively students will learn. Given the relevance and importance, emphasis on digital literacy is vital in the modern framework.
The structure of education in the country must be aligned with not only job requirements but also the strategies for surviving and remaining relevant in the modern world. In other words, it should be designed in a way that meets the demands of the 21st-century job market, ensuring that students are well-prepared to adapt, perform, and succeed in a rapidly changing professional environment.
Crucially, it is important to recognize that such deeply rooted structural weaknesses cannot be effectively addressed through abrupt or short-term measures. Meaningful reform requires a carefully designed and long-term strategy that is both coherent and sustainable. If the gaps continue within this system, progress will become difficult, much like being trapped in quicksand.
DISCLAIMER: Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Magazine, or its editorial team. Views published are the sole responsibility of the author(s).
