Administrative limitations, lack of transparency and accountability, and legal complexities hold back the efforts of ensuring good governance in the education sector, according to a study of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
The study also notes many challenges in the country's education sector persist as the 'National Education Policy 2010' hasn't been fully implemented even after 11 years of its formation.
The observation was made at a virtual press conference to unveil findings of the study titled 'Implementation of Secondary Education Activities: Challenges of Good Governance and Way Forward', organised by TIB.
TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuz-zaman, TIB adviser (executive management) Professor Dr Sumaiya Khair and director (research and policy) Md Rafiqul Hasan spoke at the event while former TIB manager Taslima Akter Hena presented findings of the report.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said despite taking various positive initiatives to improve the quality of secondary education, the outcome of those initiatives hasn't achieved expected results as there is still a gap in the level of capacity and progress in the sector.
He said, "Nearly 11 years have passed since the national education policy has been formed but crucial components of the policy didn't get implemented while the initiative also got less importance from the policymakers."
Noting that the budget allocation for education is insufficient compared to global standard, he said: "Due to the fund shortage, the outcome of the policies weren't as expected."
The watchdog has made 20-point recommendations for the development of the education sector including - developing a skilled workforce for the education sector in line with the education policy, skill development of teachers, returning the dropped out students in the classroom, increasing the budget for education as suggested by UNESCO, budget allocation for maintenance of laptop and projectors, etc.
