Wares Ali Khan :
The planet Earth is now Covid-19 stricken and this tremendous global pandemic has destined a murky scenario with its inflicted agony to the entire world which has led the humankind to unprecedented setbacks. Beyond the adverse reality, the instinct of human species evolves infinite, diverse and wondrous possibilities of rediscovering life. On this ground, we do not want to look back in the past, rather approaching far in the future conceiving hope for the better is now our dreaming spirit. We do believe and rely on unvanquished youth of our country on the eve of the New Year of 2021 possessing an epic ambition.
Almost 50 percent of the total population of the country is under the age of 24. This indomitable juvenility is surely the most crucial and critical phase of life. We know our young people are dedicated enough and the most productive quarter of our entire population. They can be inevitable catalysts for developmental changes and for changing attitudes in the societal pattern. Youth, in general, come with new ideas, expertise and attainment focusing tomorrow’s leadership to play a significant role and thus they are considered as the hub of hope, promise and aspiration of the nation.
Projected progress of the country cannot not be settled unless the requisite changes in the comprehensive development plans for the youth bring forth. Being guided and motivated by the founding principles and empowered by time-demanded and need-based education and training; the young generation could execute their charismatic leadership in establishing economic prosperity and social justice in parallel. So, a greater degree of concentration and a holistic approach to convert them as a driving force of our nation is very imperative.
A globally compatible and effective education structure can intervene on forming youth into invaluable human capital. Therefore, revolutionizing the education system and improving access to information are very important. But, in reality, we are even distant from such much sought education, technology and innovation, and even many premier technologies are yet out of our reach.
The true need of the youth’s caliber and talents is incomparable in this ever-changing world. We know, in the power driven society, knowledge involving science, information technology, research, and innovation are the prime mover of the youth force. According to UNDP data, approximately 41 percent of Bangladeshi youth are NEET (Not Employed, in Education, or in Training). This implies that there is a huge demand for jobs and an even greater need for up-to-date knowledge and skills. Lack of employment opportunities, market driven education, and access to resources the youth unemployment rate has unfortunately reached at almost 17 percent in the country.
The large number of young people is the true pride for Bangladesh. The country is now at the juncture to reap its demographic dividend gainfully. So, the huge young population has to be equipped with the right set of skills, and access to information and technology for increasing productivity in the greater content. A country, nevermore, cannot proceed further only depending on its high GDP growth rate. Rather, measures must come up with the highest possible youth employment opportunities through endowing market relevant skills and features.
It is indeed a ray of hope as our GDP growth has recently surpassed neighbouring India and Pakistan. Despite rapid economic growth, Bangladesh has been struggling to accommodate productive and decent jobs for its young community. And this impressive and drawn-out 8 percent GDP growth has relied largely on cheap labor provided by young folks working in agriculture and RMG sectors, and by unskilled expatriate manual workers.
Skill enhancement and migration, youth mobilization and internationalization, and reformation of technical and vocational training with a view to producing highly trained young manpower- these issues must get the highest priority. We know there is a noticeable gap between the skills required by employers and professionals being produced in our higher educational institutions in the context of the competitive job market. That is why, appropriate courses and curricula need to be designed based on professional requirements to meet long-term needs and transform our promising youth as world class human capital.
Youth are the reliable source of immense possibilities and icons of courage, and also have struggling attitudes. They rightly need to become acquainted with the concept of survival of the fittest with the objective of turning them back to global competitive track. Potential roadblocks and anticipated fear factors should be dispelled in that regard. To empower the youth, mobilize them and strengthen their core aptitudes, an optimistic farsighted approach is exigent. In this perspective, we hope our think-tanks will incorporate a National Youth Development Policy intending to make the youth top-notch change makers in the socio-economic context.
If Bangladesh is to benefit satisfactorily from its fortunate youth population to meet the socio-economic goals, budget allocations have to augment for education and training, skill development and expertise enhancement along with offering the finest intuitional opportunities for practical research and innovation. Hence, policymakers deliberately need to adopt that strategic thinking and scenario remaking in order to approach a long-term future vision.
The New Year of 2021 could eliminate the downhearted feelings including all those what humans have witnessed in 2020, the unexampled distress and sufferings. So, the temptation of sharing my wishes- we will together come out of a vicious storm which struck in 2020. I also wish that the fresh 2021 shall successfully meet our hope and aspirations heading towards the resilient ventures grounding on the limitless potentials of our promising youth segment of the country.
(Mr. Khan is a teaching professional and academic coordinator)
