Let Education Be Practical and Career-Oriented

Md. Joynal Abdin
Founder & CEO, Trade and Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Secretary General, Brazil-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI)
Advisor, Singapore South Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI)

Education is the foundation upon which civilizations are built. It enables individuals to acquire moral values, develop critical thinking, and become empathetic, cultured, and socially responsible citizens. Through education, a society transmits its heritage, values, and aspirations to the next generation.

In Bangladesh, like many developing nations, education is often viewed as the golden ticket to upward mobility. But when education is disconnected from practical application, its purpose is undermined. According to a 2023 World Bank report, nearly 40% of graduates in Bangladesh are either unemployed or underemployed, which highlights a severe disconnect between academic qualifications and labor market demands.

Our current education system, heavily geared towards rote learning and theoretical knowledge, fails to equip students with hands-on skills. The result? A generation of degree holders without direction, disillusioned with the gap between academic promise and professional reality.

The Relationship Between Education and Livelihood

In Bangladesh, approximately 85% of the population belongs to the lower or lower-middle income group (BBS, 2022). For these families, investing in a child’s education is often the largest financial decision they make—sometimes at the cost of selling their last cow or borrowing at high interest. The expectation is clear: education should lead to employment.

Yet, despite graduating from universities, many young people remain unemployed due to a lack of practical and employable skills. According to the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), the youth unemployment rate stands at 12.9%, more than double the national average. This mismatch creates emotional and economic stress on families and hampers national productivity.

We must shift the paradigm—from education for its own sake to education as a path to productive engagement in the economy. Education should act as a springboard into the workforce, not a detour.

A Step-by-Step Plan for Career-Oriented Education

Step 1: Post-SSC Decisions – Early Skill Engagement

Every child learns differently. If a student is less academically inclined and the family faces financial difficulties, pushing them into conventional academic pathways may not be ideal. Instead, introduce them to hands-on work.

Examples:

• Tailoring and garment work
• Auto mechanics
• Electrical repairs
• Furniture making
• Mobile servicing

Impact: A survey by the International Labour Organization (ILO) shows that informal apprenticeships account for 72% of vocational training in Bangladesh. These roles may not require formal degrees but offer income-generating skills that ensure survival and independence.

Step 2: Emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education

For students with a moderate aptitude and some financial support, technical education offers an excellent alternative to the general academic track.

Recommended Diplomas:

• Paramedical & lab technology
• Pharmacy assistant training
• Web & software development
• Electrical wiring & installation
• Leather technology

Why it matters: According to a report by ADB, only 2% of Bangladesh’s workforce has formal vocational training, compared to over 50% in South Korea. Strengthening TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) can dramatically reduce unemployment and improve incomes.

Internships and apprenticeships should be integrated into diploma courses to provide real-world experience. Employers today prioritize practical competence over paper qualifications.

Online Training Courses

Step 3: Career-Oriented Honors Degrees

If the family is financially stable and the student is capable of higher studies, they should be directed towards market-relevant university programs that align with industry demand.

Promising Fields:

• Software Engineering
• Agricultural Technology
• Fashion Design & Merchandising
• AI & Robotics
• Cybersecurity
• Digital Marketing
• Radiology & Pathology
• Green Technology & Renewable Energy

Data Insight: A recent LinkedIn survey ranks digital marketing, data science, and software development as some of the most in-demand skills globally. If Bangladeshi youth are equipped with these skills, they can compete in global freelancing and tech markets, where earnings often exceed local job offers.

The Importance of Religious Education with Practical Skills

Religion shapes values and instills discipline, compassion, and a sense of higher purpose. Teaching children the basics of their faith, including Quranic recitation, prayer, fasting, and ethical conduct, helps build moral citizens.

However, spiritual knowledge alone is not sufficient for survival in today’s world. Even those pursuing careers in religious preaching or education must also acquire practical skills to sustain themselves honorably.

Examples:

• A Hafiz with basic graphic design skills can create Islamic content on social media.
• An Imam with Arabic typing and video editing skills can teach online and earn through YouTube or educational platforms.
• A Madrasa graduate trained in freelancing platforms can offer Arabic translation services globally.

Combining deen (faith) with dunya (worldly skills) ensures that individuals are not only spiritually fulfilled but also economically self-reliant.

Preparing for the Future

The job market is undergoing rapid transformation. Automation, AI, and digital tools are replacing traditional jobs. A McKinsey Global Institute study estimates that 800 million jobs worldwide could be displaced by automation by 2030.

Emerging Career Fields to Consider:

• Data Analytics & Big Data
• Blockchain Development
• Robotics & Mechatronics
• Climate & Environmental Science
• Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering
• E-commerce & Digital Supply Chain

Bangladesh must future-proof its youth by promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and integrating coding, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship from the school level.

Conclusion: From Degree-Holders to Doers

Degrees do not guarantee jobs. Skills do. Our education system must shift focus from theoretical credentials to practical capability.

Children should leave school not just as graduates, but as competent, confident contributors to society whether as professionals, entrepreneurs, or skilled workers. In the global competitive arena, they must shine with their own brilliance like polished diamonds.

Let us pledge to make education not just life-enhancing, but life-sustaining. Let education be career-focused, market-aligned, and future-ready—for the benefit of individuals, families, and the nation as a whole.