UNB, Dhaka :Most students who have come out successful in the recently published HSC examination results would not be able to study in their preferred universities, especially in subjects with high market demand and limited seats.Depending on the seats of colleges under the National University, the government is claiming there will be no shortage of seats. While talking to UNB, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said there will be no seat crisis as there are enough seats under public, private and national university. All students who have come out successful in the HSC examination would get scope for admission, he said.But most students, especially those having good GPA in SSC and HSC examinations, are reluctant about enrolling in any college under the National University, due to their reputation for poor standard and huge session jam.Meanwhile, education experts suggested increased technical and vocational education to create job opportunities for maximum people as well, since all are not qualified to take higher studies.A total of 8,85,070 students, out of 11,29,972, came out successful in this year’s HSC and equivalent examinations. Out of them, 70,602 students secured the highest grade point average (GPA)-5.As per the University Grants Commission (UGC) Report-2012, the total seat for Honorus first year is 5,9200 in 32 public universities across the country while the seat allocation is 629,475 under the National University. As per the report, the total number of seats for Honorus first year is 131,932 in 60 private universities across the country. According to the Health Ministry, there are 8,493 seats in government and private medical colleges and dental colleges. Of them, 22 government medical colleges have 2,811 seats while 53 private medical colleges 4,245 and nine dental colleges 567 seats.Hemal, who passed HSC examinations from Abdul Kadir Mollah City College, Narsingdi from Commerce group said, “Every student wants admission to Dhaka University. I also expect to study in DU. If I miss accidentally then I’ll try to get admission to another public university for study.”Hemal went on saying, “If I fail to get admitted to any public university then my next choice will be private universities. Although the National University has enough seats for the students, it is a lengthy process to complete the study. It takes six or seven years to complete Honours course. So, I don’t want to waste my time.”Taposi Rabeya who passed HSC from a college in Bhola from Humanities told UNB, “I would get very little time for job if I study in any college under the National University as it’ll take much time. My maximum age to enter job will expire by the time. Besides, the standard of education is not up to the mark.”Education Minister Nahid said, “It’s not possible to give good scope for all in higher studies. No country in the world provides such scope. Students get admission to higher studies through competitive examinations. I would tell people to look at the admission systems of other countries,” he added.”We would continue our effort to increase the standard of education in higher studies whether it is public, private or national university. I hope the standard of education in all institutions in higher studies will increase gradually in response to our initiative,” the minister added.Education expert and teacher at the Institute of Education and Research (IER) of Dhaka University Professor Siddiqur Rahman advocated for technical and vocational education.”All people in the country will receive education. At a certain stage, education will be compulsory to all. Then students will enroll for higher studies based on their qualification. Besides, if all pass MA then the country would face manpower crisis in many sectors as people of various professions are needed to run a country,” he told UNB. “If we create opportunities for technical and vocational education, there’ll be a scope for creating more job opportunities. Besides, we’ ll able to send skilled manpower abroad to get more remittance,” he added.Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University’s English Department Dr Serajul Islam Choudhury said, “We’ve failed to inspire students to receive education in the field of technical and vocational. Apart from inspiring students for receiving technical and vocational education, the scope for such jobs has to be created.”
