A comparison between pupils who attend madrasah and other type of schools in Bangladesh: their reason for going, their employment prospects and contrasting systems of education

Abstract

The Education system of Bangladesh is characterized by the presence of traditional religious (madrasah) and general (school) education. The prevalence of this duality is considered to be one of the fundamental problems in promoting an integrated educated society in the country. The difference between these two groups of people can be observed not only in their orientation and thinking but also in all aspects of life ranging from style of dressing to commitment towards politics. Those coming out of the general education system dominate educated society and the national development process, while those who receive education through the madrasah system usually live on religious activities and rituals and its teaching. Hence their contribution towards national development is hardly visible. The present study, which is probably unique of its kind in Bangladesh, is an empirical one investigating this duality in education, its causes, influencing factors and consequences. It has been evident in the present study that although the root of this duality lies in historical facts, present management by authority largely adds to the problem. Then apathy towards the issue has aggravated the situation and the rift continues to be as wide as ever. There are some social, economic and cultural factors among the people which also keep this issue alive. It has been found in this study that factors like parental educational background, level of education, influence of relatives, level of economic condition, family tradition and attitude towards religion seem to have influenced the enrolment of children into the two systems. Integrating these two contrasting systems of education was felt necessary by most of the respondents although on the question of how to achieve this integration opinion did not converge. It is of course a difficult task, but not impossible. For the greater benefit of society, all should come forward to minimize the gap between the two systems of education.