1. 1
The learning crisis and
education debate
Prof. Dr. M. Shamsul Haque, Vice-Chancellor, NUB

2. 2
As an academician I keep myself busy in knowing how best to
educate our students. Recently I read one paper from a professor
in Boston about the failure in public education in primary and high
school level. He gave data from Bangladeshi researchers showing
10-12% improvement in Mathematics skills between those who
attended schools and those who did not. This was called as
learning crisis and failure in the concept of education as a public
good. I think we all know what is going on in the education system
in Bangladesh. Our politicians are busy playing a number game
with passing rate and GPA, etc. whereas the government budget
allocation remains constant around 2.5% of GDP instead of raising
it to 6% as recommended by UNESCO.
The learning crisis and education debate

3. 3
In the university we are faced with the most
difficult task of teaching the students in various
disciplines. The gap in English and Mathematics
skills are evidently the most challenging. We have
discussed these issues in past with our Deans,
Heads, and Coordinators. Knowing the experience
of other countries in recent years we have been
trying to introduce digital technologies and the
internet. We have already established 3 labs in our
3 campuses.
The learning crisis and education debate

4. 4
But I must say that progress in adopting
the digital approach is not satisfactory. We
have to think about how best to help our
students in their learning process by the
digital technology with its liberating
influence.
The learning crisis and education debate

5. 5
Education system: Is it like a bank?
A repository where learners come to withdraw the
knowledge they need for life. I understand those who
are present here are the product of that kind of
system left with us by the colonial regimes. Paulo
Freire (1921-1927) a Brazilian humanitarian and
educator suggested a plan for empowering and
liberating the oppressed people of the world through
education. According to Freire “knowledge is not a
set commodity (like money in a bank) that is passed
from the teachers to the learners. Learners must
construct knowledge from the knowledge they
already possess”.

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Teachers must learn how the students understand
the world. Freireian theory is that “learning begins
with action which is then shaped by reflection
which gives rise to further action” (Bangladesh
Education Journal). It seems we have a very
difficult journey here at NUB. To me one of the
best ways we can engage and liberate our
students is to allow them access to the digital
world (www.khanacademy.com, www.shikkhok.com in Bangla).
Education system: Is it like a bank?

7. 7
The Law program: A success story
NUB’s performance in Public Service Commission exams for
Law students: Records show NUB students’ stood first
among private universities and fourth among all universities.
How have we done this with students with poor background
similar to business students in BBA? One factor was pointed
to me was the appointment of lecturers from Dhaka
University Law graduates. My nephew who graduated last
year was not satisfied with that recruitment because they
leave after a semester or two. When asked why this is so he
said “They simply translate subject matters from English to
Bangla”. I understand this is done by all of our teachers
including myself when I offer a course.

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• Bill Derrenger has been telling me about these phenomena for a
long time that we have all first class teachers and very low
quality students, as a kind of mismatch unlike IBA, Dhaka
University. In that sense most of our teachers are basically
“Outliers” as was written by Malcom Gladwell in his famous
book, a best seller in New York Times. Outliers excel in whatever
they do in education, business, and politics (Barack Obama), for
example. We have to recognize we are here to change the lives
of our students at least for those who want to change. Our
teachers should come down to earth from the high places, such
as Dhaka University & BUET. We are doing some essential
social engineering here as leaders in the community.
The Law program: A success story

9. 9
Please share my thoughts and ideas
with your colleagues in the faculty &
departments. Please also give your
valuable suggestion now in this
meeting or afterwards so that we all
work in a team spirit.
The Law program: A success story

10. Copyright of these slides
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Sher Tower, Holding #13, Road #17, Banani C/A, Dhaka-1213
Tel: 9821493-7, & 9898521 (Ext- 400, 401 & 402)
Cell: 01755514650, 01755514651, 01755514652
Prof. Dr. M. Shamsul Haque
Vice-Chancellor
Northern University Bangladesh