Shikkha Bigyan o Bangladesha Shikkha (Education Science and Education in Bangladesh)-3rd Edition by Dr. Abdul Maleque (Professor, Institute of Education & Research, University of Dhaka), Mariam Begum (Associate Professor, Institute of Education & Research, University of Dhaka), Fakhrul Islam (Deputy Secretary, University Grants Commission of Bangladesh) and Sheikh Shahbaz Riad (Assistant Professor, Govt. Teachers’ Training College, Dhaka). Published by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, Dhaka, February 2012. 671 pp. ISBN: 984-809-037-1.

As education is considered as the main engine for sustainable human resource development as well as social progress, ‘Education Science’ is flourishing as an independent discipline in the academic arena throughout the globe. Keen interest towards this discipline is growing day by day among the education policy-makers, researchers, development professionals, students and general people.

‘Education Science’ is now an important discipline in the academic arena of Bangladesh. Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research (IER) is the pioneer in studying and researching on education. The IER conducts 4-year Bachelor, Masters, MPhil & PhD programmes in Education. Rajshahi University offers MPhil and PhD degrees in education. Teachers’ Training Colleges of National University conduct Bachelor of Education training course for secondary school teachers and other professionals. Bangladesh Open University has also certificate, Bachelor & Masters courses in Education. Moreover, today many private universities are offering Bachelor and Masters Programmes in Education. Through these institutes the study of ‘Education Science’ has been growing strong day by day. But, it is an irony of fact, there is a lack of standard texts and reference books on Education in our country. In this regard, the book ‘Shikkha Bigyan o Bangladesha Shikkha (Education Science and Education in Bangladesh)’ is a very timely and noble initiative from the authors.
The book contains sixteen chapters. Chapter 1 & 2 discuss the concept, aims, functions and scope of education and education science. Actually, the theoretical aspects of education are presented here. Chapter 3 deals with the child education. Some very important topics like Child’s Growth and Development; Learning, Attention and Motivation; Intelligence & Personality etc. are discussed in this chapter. In chapter 4, 5 & 6, the writers elaborate the structure, curricula, administration & management of education in Bangladesh. Education in Bangladesh Constitution and aims & objectives of education described in the last ‘National Education policy-2010’ are explained very nicely in chapter 4. Chapter 7 & 8 discuss Teaching Methods and Techniques and Evaluation Management. The latest development of evaluation system in our Secondary level; i.e. School Based Assessment (SBA) and creative questions, is discussed elaborately in chapter 8. Chapter 9 deals with a very important topic: Teacher Training in Bangladesh. Historical background of teachers’ training and different types of teachers’ training for different levels of education sector are presented here very nicely.
Another very important topic ‘Education and Human Resource Development’ is discussed in chapter 10. Education’s role in human resource development and Bangladesh’s position in Human Development Index (HDI) by UNDP are explained here. In chapter 11 & 12, the writers discuss on Education Financing in Bangladesh and Efficiency and Wastage in Education. Major wastages (dropout, unemployed educated, over production of highly qualified persons, brain drain etc.) in education sector of Bangladesh are described in chapter 12. Chapter 13 deals with quality education. Some important topics like quality education in Bangladesh, govt. initiatives taken for improving our education and barriers to quality education in Bangladesh are discussed in this chapter. Chapter 14 & 15 discuss on Educational Development Planning in Bangladesh and Problems and Issues in Education of Bangladesh. The writers analyze different ‘National Education Commission’ and ‘National Education Policy’ reports and draw our attention to the challenges and issues of our education sector. In the final chapter 16, the writers discuss on Education in Global Perspective. How various UN and International organizations deal with education is presented here nicely.

In selecting and organizing the topics of the book, both theoretical and practical aspects of education in Bangladesh are given emphasized. As a reference, the book is unique. Overall, the book is a highly informative and recommended work. Needless to mention that the writers of this book must deserve appreciation for producing this brilliant academic piece of writing. UGC also deserves many thanks for publishing this book. Foreword by Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, the book contains abundant food for thought, for academics, policy-makers and educational professionals a whole. For those interested in the challenges, issues and development of Bangladesh education this book is a must-read. Finally, the point must be made that this publication is an excellent and valuable contribution to the literature on Education.