There is no room for debate about the role of education in shaping a person into a true human being. A person without education is hardly any different from other animals. On the contrary, true education inspires people with noble and generous values. Education not only cultivates humanity but also ensures means of livelihood through employment. To become a complete human being, both humanity and livelihood are essential. And both of these can be developed simultaneously through vocational or technical education. While general education fosters human values, it is often ineffective in providing employment. In order to create employment opportunities, practical and vocational education based on modern technology is essential.Vocational education refers to that form of education in which a person learns a particular skill hands-on and becomes capable of earning a livelihood. It enables students to acquire comprehensive knowledge about a specific profession that they can implement in real life. After receiving this education, a student does not need to wait for a job; rather, they can independently earn a living through that profession. It is not just about livelihood—this education also enables individuals to play a necessary role in national development. Students of average merit may fail in higher education, but if provided with suitable vocational training, they can often prove themselves successful in many ways. Therefore, the core values of this education are hard work, concentration, and proper practice. Here, dedication plays a greater role than intelligence, and focus and sincerity, along with merit, are the key pillars of this educational approach.The primary success of vocational education today lies in its practical application—only then can it be harmonized with national life.Let us now look into whether vocational education existed in the past and present education systems of Bangladesh—Bangladesh is a developing country in the third world. While some changes have occurred in other sectors, no significant change is visible in the education system. Even today, a scientific and life-oriented education system has not been established. After independence, several education commissions were formed: the Kudrat-e-Khuda Education Commission (1972), the Bangladesh Education Commission, the Majid Khan Education Commission, the M.A. Bari Education Commission, and the most recent in 2009—the Kabir Chowdhury Education Commission. This last one was formed under the leadership of National Professor Kabir Chowdhury to modernize, revise, and reform the education system and to review the 2001 M.A. Bari Commission.However, despite the formation of multiple commissions and the drafting of educational policies, none were implemented. In fact, no modern education system has yet been adopted. Students today blindly chase certificates and degrees without any understanding of the practical application of education. Moreover, the current system fails to build true human beings through meaningful education. At best, it prepares them mentally to become clerks. Those who are truly talented and aspire to contribute to the country and society are unable to fulfill their potential due to a flawed educational system and lack of proper direction. Caught in the chains of conventional thinking, their talents are slowly fading.Even with high degrees, many fail to secure suitable jobs. And for those with less academic merit, there is no provision for appropriate training or technical education. As a result, everyone is forced to follow the same path, though a general undergraduate or postgraduate degree is not enough to get a job. Thus, young people eventually become overwhelmed with frustration from unemployment after chasing degrees in vain. In this country, there seems to be no one to guide them properly. Our unscientific and backward education system is a major cause of poverty. Instead of utilizing the talent and labor of the people, it pushes them into a cursed, uncertain life of joblessness. As unemployment rises, our economy becomes increasingly unstable.

 

Education is essential to develop human intellect and consciousness. Every person is born with potential. Without education, that potential is wasted. Therefore, everyone must be educated in a planned and scientific way that will not only make them self-reliant and conscious citizens but also enable them to play an effective role in national, economic, and social development. Education must be connected to real life and act as a means of earning a livelihood. Especially in Bangladesh, where unplanned and inadequate education has left about 2.59 million people unemployed, there is no alternative to vocational and technical education to resolve this crisis.

Vocational education refers to education that enables people to easily take up a trade or profession. Since such education is shaped according to economic and social needs both nationally and globally, it is practically applicable in real life. It removes much uncertainty from a person’s life. This is why vocational education is called life-oriented education—it liberates people from the curse of unemployment.

Nations that are now at the peak of development realized the significance of vocational education long ago and took practical steps accordingly. Unlike Bangladesh, not everyone in these countries is eager for higher education. Those who pursue it become experts in their fields. But most people prefer realistic and income-generating education. Countries like the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, China, France, and Japan not only produce top scientists, doctors, engineers, and writers, but also skilled individuals in various vocational sectors. There, even general laborers do not suffer from economic insecurity or unemployment.Given the current socio-economic context of Bangladesh, there is no debate about the necessity of vocational education. Bangladesh is a riverine and agriculture-based country. However, industries like garments, leather, jute, and tea now show great promise. Yet we have taken no initiative to produce skilled workers for these sectors. Our education policy is completely opposite to that of other developing countries. In Bangladesh, it takes 18 or more years to complete general education. After that, students have to prepare again for job-related exams, which takes even more time. Many spend more than half their lives studying and preparing for jobs. Even then, many never find suitable employment. The main reason is the absence of practical education. Our entire education system is based on theoretical knowledge that bears no resemblance to reality. Consequently, unemployment continues to grow, severely affecting the country and society.To break this curse, there is no alternative to vocational education. Bangladesh has a huge population that can be turned into a skilled workforce and exported abroad. Manpower export is one of the country’s main sources of revenue. If workers are sent abroad with technical skills, they can earn far more. Unfortunately, no such plan has yet been adopted. Skilled workers, even if they remain in the country, can enhance production in agriculture and industry, attracting both local and foreign investors and strengthening the economy. Therefore, we must integrate vocational education into all levels of education—from primary to university. We will then be able to utilize our large population productively both at home and abroad. For this, we need both short-term and long-term vocational education systems. If we can turn every citizen into a capable worker, then poverty eradication will no longer be a dream. Vocational education not only guarantees employment, but also helps a nation overcome various problems.Many issues, including the most severe—unemployment—arise from an irrelevant education system. Unemployment breeds frustration among the youth, often pushing them toward immoral activities or even suicide. There is no alternative to vocational education to overcome these challenges.To make vocational education effective, the people of this country must.