In commemoration of the 2024 July uprising anniversary, the Bangladesh Doctors’ Platform in Finland has recently held an online discussion titled Democracy and Education Reform are Woven from the Same Thread.
Dr Md Abdul Hai, BDPF member programme, and Dr GM Atiqur Rahman, BDPF member secretary, commenced the conversation by paying homage to all the martyrs who gave their lives for the nation, said a press release.
Abdul Hai mentioned that the peaceful quota reform movement evolved into a mass uprising driven by the unplanned involvement of diverse groups across the nation. ‘As a result, the previously unpopular government was overthrown on August 5, initiating a new era of reform for the nation.’
‘In contrast to other sectors, education has received inconsistent reform efforts until now,’ He added.
Atiqur Rahman outlined the discussion session rules, and introduced BDPF’s founding president, Dr Munjur E Moula, to facilitate the programme.
The discussion featured special guests, including Badiul Alam Majumder, editor of Citizens for Good Governance, and head of the electoral reform commission, Professor Md Qudrat-E-Zahan, vice-chancellor at Bogura University of Science and Technology, and Saiful Islam, former chairman of the department of theatre and performance studies at the University of Dhaka.
Education is the backbone of a nation, and the speakers emphasised that there was no alternative to radical reforms in the education sector to keep it strong and resilient, considering the existing challenges in Bangladesh’s education system.
The speakers also highlighted the need of a comprehensive overhaul of the education system for sustainable progress and the realisation of genuine democracy.
The dialogue indicated that despite the interim government establishing 11 reform commissions, an education reform commission had not yet been created, which was concerning.
While speaking as the chief guest Badiul Alam Majumder stated, ‘Creating an unbiased and efficient education reform commission is crucial to eliminate irregularities, corruption, nepotism, and other issues within the education system.’
‘It is very unfortunate that the interim government has not yet established an independent and accountable education reform commission,’ he mentioned, stressing the constitutional rights of people, the importance of free elections, and the necessity of establishing a democratic form of government.
Professor Saiful Islam remarked, ‘Under the previous fascist regime, numerous individuals faced persecution for voicing their views and for their writings. I am among them as well; I was dismissed from Dhaka University for engaging in dissenting politics and writing for the truth.’
He opined that no one in this country should ever be subjected to oppression for expressing their opinions and stated that to ensure fascist rule never returned to this country, it was essential for everyone to advocate for democratic education and uphold human values.
Professor Qudrat-E-Zahan stated, ‘All individuals should participate in the decision-making process within democratic educational institutions.’
‘Democratic principles—such as freedom of speech, tolerance, and respect for elders—must be integrated into the curriculum,’ he added, mentioning that that particular attention must be placed on the development of career-focused and technical education.
