Development Studies

One afternoon in 1976 an economics professor, taking a walk in a village in Bangladesh met a poor woman. The woman was trying to support herself by constructing and selling bamboo stools. She earned two cents a day. When the professor asked her why her profit was so low, she explained that the only person who would lend her money to buy bamboo was the trader who purchased her final product and the price he set barely covered her costs. The professor's instinct was to open his wallet and give her some money. Then he had another thought: Why not give her a loan?

Literacy is a necessary though not sufficient for economic development. As Bangladesh strives to raise the living standards of its population, the present accepted high level of literacy restricts the country’s potential for development in the areas of economic growth, education and the quality of life of its citizens. It is well nigh impossible to state with any degree of confidence what the illiteracy rate is as definitions of illiteracy have changed over recent decades and the existing measures lack validity. The present study expands on traditional concepts of literacy.

This comprehensive Education Sector Review has been published in three separate volumes. Volume III focuses on Technical-Vocational Education and Training, and Higher Education in Bangladesh. These background reports on the Education Sector Review present a detailed analysis of the various parts of the system. The crucial issues plaguing the technical-vocational and higher education sector are examined and necessary steps for the future outlined. Each sub-sector paper concludes with a possible strategy of objectives and means.

The book begins with a broad overview of the current education scene—from primary to tertiary education. The need to cultivate a culture of research in the higher education institutions (HEIs) that is contextually important and relevant is also emphasized. Two specific aspects of women’s (and, girls’) education in Bangladesh suggest the importance of educating women.