Manzoor Ahmed

Dr Manzoor Ahmed is professor emeritus at Brac University, chair of Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN), adviser to CAMPE Council, and associate editor at the International Journal of Educational Development.

Action fails to match rhetoric again

A clear sense of direction and strategy for the education system is lacking, as it has been under past political governments.

3w ago

Primary teachers’ strike: Is reform stumbling?

Primary school assistant teachers began an indefinite work abstention for higher entry-level pay.

1m ago

Has the reform drive lost its way?

The interim government need not be too apologetic for its record, but it would be a shame not to make the best of the opportunity history has bestowed it.

1m ago

Priorities and challenges for the new education adviser

The primary and non-formal education sub-sector reform initiative is a positive but partial move that leaves major education sector concerns unaddressed.

3m ago

Are myths and misperceptions influencing policymaking?

Are policies and actions regarding preparing young people for work and livelihood influenced by myths and misperceptions about the problems and their workable solutions?

4m ago

Can we bridge the generational gap and reform our democracy?

Now, the youngsters have embarked on a campaign to reach out to the people in preparation for forming a new political party.

4m ago

Education deserves a reform commission

Public and media discourse overwhelmingly favours the idea of a reform commission for education.

5m ago

A school curriculum to nurture thoughtful learners

The education authorities under the interim government have decided to revert to the curriculum introduced in 2012.

6m ago
September 14, 2023
September 14, 2023

The true purpose of literacy

The credibility and significance of literacy rates become questionable when seen in the light of primary education outcomes and the character of the literacy projects undertaken so far.

August 31, 2023
August 31, 2023

The culture war in education

The debate about control of education has become more intense across the globe, manifesting in varying ways in different historical and socio-political contexts.

August 7, 2023
August 7, 2023

SSC Exam Results: What do the numbers mean?

To what extent do the top scorers’ performance represent the performance of their schools and teachers?

July 23, 2023
July 23, 2023

What good will nationalising all secondary schools do?

Teachers have been carrying out sit-ins in front of the National Press Club and being subjected to coercion by police to restrain them.

June 24, 2023
June 24, 2023

Education in national budget: A dialogue of the deaf

Our education decision-makers have a narrative that largely denies any serious deficiency in the system.

June 2, 2023
June 2, 2023

Education lags again in funding and action

The new budget has not displayed cognisance of the need for post-pandemic recovery and remedial actions.

May 21, 2023
May 21, 2023

The problem is not with coaching centres or ChatGPT. It's with our education system.

AI and edtech can be helpful for our students in an inclusive manner when the plans and programmes in this respect recognise the basic and long-standing weaknesses in the system.

May 8, 2023
May 8, 2023

Is a policy directive enough to stop school bullying?

This isn't the first time that regulations and directives have been issued by education authorities regarding bullying. The question is if and how the new directive can make a difference.

April 25, 2023
April 25, 2023

Are there any lessons for Bangladesh in Ashoka Mody's ‘India Is Broken’?

Both countries have had a single-minded focus on GDP growth, with not enough attention to jobs, climate, the distribution effects and the destructive impact of crony capitalism.

April 10, 2023
April 10, 2023

Is research university an oxymoron?

Cultivating research mindset and critical thinking among students is important, but does this require foregoing the necessary academic routine of “teaching a course, administering tests, and grading students”?