The Strenuous Struggle: the path to secure a place in a university in Bangladesh

Education is a crucial part of everyone's life. It is incumbent upon all to build a better future. Across the world, students have a dream to pursue higher education. Such dreamers are prevalent in Bangladesh, a country in South Asia with a population of about 172 million. To accomplish their objectives, each student here must climb a steep mountain of challenges, given that they are residents of a third-world country. Today, we will dig into the admission phase of such aspiring students and know how much they have to strive to land themselves in their desired universities.

The hurdle before admission tests

In Bangladesh, a student has to sit for several board exams, the last of which is the HSC, also known as the Higher secondary certificate examination. Instead of how much knowledge a student has learned, the boundaries of success in these exams tend to be established by the number of A+ a student has. Plenty of universities have a minimum grade requirement in order to be qualified to take the admission exam. Therefore, a student does not even have the opportunity to compete if that individual fails to deliver a stellar performance. Because of this, academic performance is quite crucial while applying to universities.

Social stigma

The widespread misperception about the prospects for graduates from both public and private universities creates a misleading image among individuals. Parents, in particular, frequently influence students to believe that public universities are superior to others. As a consequence of their interest in public institutions, a large number of aspirants sit for public entrance examinations. Peer pressure, in addition to the influences of outside factors, contributes to this notion. As a result, many students suffer greatly owing to the fear of being labeled a failure if a place at a public institution is not acquired.

Fierce competition

Despite the fact that Bangladeshi universities provide a diverse selection of degrees, the restricted number of seats fosters fierce competition among students. It is a common scenario, whether in public or private institutions, causing students to scramble for the few available seats. At a certain point, the rivalry becomes so intense that every student has to go through a distressed phase in life. The battle for a seat exerts a substantial impact on a student's mental health too. Sometimes students even commit suicide over failure to pass these admission tests. A girl from Mugda chose this path for not passing the medical exam since she had always wanted to be a doctor. (Dhaka Tribune, 2021)

The heavyweight of economic disparity

Securing a spot in a university appears to be challenging for individuals from less fortunate backgrounds. Because of the economic crisis, gifted kids frequently lack enough resources. Scholarships are available at many colleges, but not all students are qualified enough to apply for them. Moreover, the expense of private institutions rub salt in their wound, leading them to forgo their dream of higher education. Though different financial bits of help is available in the private sector, many of these students barely cut the marks to be eligible for them, therefore, missing out on the opportunity to have a support system.

Effect of quota and nepotism

Quotas benefit a particular set of people; hence, they pile up obstacles for students who demonstrate exceptional potential, especially those from a general background. This unfair advantage increases inequality and undermines the merit-based admissions process, which must be its cornerstone. Furthermore, quotas might foster a sense of entitlement in some people, leading to complacency and a lack of drive to flourish academically. Nepotism also has a significant impact on the future of the education of students; thus, quotas are not the sole factor. Many people gain an unfair advantage in the admission process because of their connections. These networks frequently make other competent candidates' abilities and accomplishments appear to be less impressive, undermining diversity in educational institutions.

Conclusion

 As a society, we must be mindful that young people are the golden future of our country. Education is a fundamental requirement of life and the foundation for one's development. But unfortunately, Students mostly have a daunting experience while they go through the admissions process in Bangladesh. It is high time we addressed our flawed education system and ensured a better environment for all. There should be no tolerance for discrimination; instead, the deserving candidate shall triumph. The key to a prosperous state lies in the hand of our students. Thus they should be given the right to learn, experiment and grow without any hindrance so that a bright and promising future can be gifted to them.

Reference:

Hossain, I.(2021).Student commits suicide over failure to pass medical college admission test in Dhaka.Dhaka Tribune.https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/243255/student-commits-suicide-over-failure-to-pass

Author:

Jakia Tasfia        (ID-23301422)

Tahmina Akhter (ID-23301430)