More polytechnic institutions needed
Bangladesh has seen commendable growth in the size of its educated workforce over the years. Yet it still lacks a sizable technically skilled workforce. The number of graduates in general education is increasing at a progressive rate. But while millions of them remain unemployed, a large number of industries in Bangladesh are operated by technically trained workers from abroad.
After the Second World War, Japan gave special emphasis nationwide on training short term technically skilled workers to create a trained that could rebuild the war-ravaged country. Gradually, Japan grew into a developed country. Bangladesh has huge prospects because of its largely young workforce. Technical education of these youngsters can help develop the country faster over the next 10-15 years. A technically educated workforce can also be exported abroad.
The government has to come forward to make these things happen. Sunamganj, for instance, does not have a fully formed technical education institute. Setting up engineering and other technical educational programmes in the region would benefit it greatly.
Md Ashraf Hossain
Sunamganj
