The education system of Bangladesh functions under two separate ministries: Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) responsible for Primary and Mass Education, and the Ministry of’ Education (MoE) responsible for post primary and post-secondary levels of education. MoE is under two different Secretaries: Secretary of Secondary and Higher Secondary Division and Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Division.
Recently (November, 2020) Government of Bangladesh has decided to re-structure the education system; thus there won’t be any public exam until the secondary level and subject wise specialization will be at the higher secondary level only. Until secondary level all children will have common subjects to learn.
Education is the most powerful weapon for fighting against poverty. Besides the formal education, a developing country like ours Non-formal Education (NFE) is must for economic enhancement and poverty alleviation. Poverty is probably the worst misfortunate afflicting in Bangladesh. A very large percentage of our population remains miserably poor even today. A direct outcome of poverty is that till date almost every one under poverty line do not know how to read and write, steeped in ignorance; they are plagued by superstition, poor health and malnutrition and live in sub-human conditions in dark and dingy hovels.
To eradicate poverty in different shapes like establishing formal and non-formal educational institution and technical and vocational training institution, SAWAB is playing a vital role to improve their quality of life and to help them to participate to productivity in the national development.
Non-Formal Education (NFE) organized educational activity outside the formal system of education. It is simple and flexible and can be delivered at any place convenient to the learners. It is generally designed to meet the basic learning needs of disadvantaged groups and can be availed of at any age. NFE is provided to those sections of the community who have no access to or are dropped out from formal education.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) could be the most effective tool to develop the skill and knowledge of the people as well as it can help the nation in becoming a competent one. In today’s world, the growing rate of change driven by new technology, new forms of work places, new demand for quality products and finally the shortening of the product life-cycle lead to flexible workforce and increase the role played by TVET in the development of skills and competence. Unfortunately, this area of social science is still less prioritized and underdeveloped in Bangladesh.