Chemical Education in Asia Pacific
CHEMICAL EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH
S. Z. Haider
Department of Chemistry, Dhaka University, Dhaka - 1000,
Bangladesh
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1. INTRODUCTION
Of late, the chemical education has assumed a new dimension in view
of the unique approach to the study of the material world and the universe
as a whole. Thus we now have to study cosmological chemistry, biological
chemistry, environmental chemistry, superconductor chemistry and many other
frontiers have advanced chemistry and chemical education to an extremely
dynamic endeavours of human knowledge in this age of exploration of space
as well as micromolecular state of the material world in vitro and in vivo.
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2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CHEMICAL
EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH
Bangladesh came into being as an independent country in 1971. It was
a part of Pakistan from 1947 to 1971 and before 1947 it was one of the
most fertile land of the Indian sub-continent. The country occupies an
area of about 145000 square kilometers mostly consisting of alluvial deltaic
flood plains washed by the three major rivers of the region - the Ganges,
the Brahmaputra and the Meghna and innumerable tributaries and distributaries.
The lush green environment has scanty of mineral resources but has large
reserve of natural gas. The climate is temperate but humid during the rainy
season. The Tropic of Cancer divides the country almost into two halves.
Obviously the climatic conditions of the region having a large varieties
of plant kingdom provided the ancient culture for the practice of herbal
medicines. But the knowledge of the use of plants was confined to a particular
class of elite actually handed down from father to son and the practice
was pursued as a family tradition. The practice of ancient chemistry in
Bangladesh has been elaborately documented in the monumental work of P.C.
Ray (1861-1944) "A History of Hindu Chemistry". Perhaps there
was no formal education system in chemistry for common people but the methods
of chemistry were used from time immemorial in this region. Svante Arrhenius
(1850-1927) in his book "Chemistry in Modern Life" mentioned
about the use of metallic and especially mercurial drugs as discussed by
P. C. Ray. Preparation of herbal medicines side by side the technology
of casting of metals and alloys (copper, gold, silver, iron, bronze, brass)
existed. These practices were followed as family tradition.
Before the advent of Islam, Bangladesh can be justly proud of as a region
of Buddhist culture. Evidences of the remains of numerous Buddhist colleges
(monasteries) have been discovered. However, one is not certain about the
courses of studies followed in these colleges. One of the famous university
was Nalanda University in the eastern part of the Indian sub-continent.
There are reasons to believe that the knowledge about the technical aspects
of chemistry was fairly advanced as may be discerned from the relics of
terra-cotta, ceramic works, metal artifacts and coins.
There seems to be lull in the activities based on chemical knowledge
during the period from 800-1300 A. C. when the Brahmanic philosophy gained
ground in this region but the old pattern of Ayurvedic system of medicine
continued. The introduction of Islam in Bangladesh began in the 12th century
through the humanitarian services to the majority of oppressed population.
The Sufies (mystics or saints) established collegiate bodies for the dissemination
of the knowledge for the welfare of mankind. But the alchemical belief
of transmutation of base metals into gold persisted as in the Middle Eastern
countries. In addition, the hunt for Elixir or the potion for eternal rejuvenation
involved much of practical applications of chemistry such as laboratory
processes of calcination, solution, distillation, sublimation, crystallisation
etc. Bangladesh region during the Muslim rule was a rich country which
attracted the European communities such as Portuguese, Dutch, French and
the British. Originally they came to Bangladesh as traders for procurement
of sugar, saltpeter, paper, textiles, dyes, washing soda, common salt,
perfumes, tanned leather, ceramics and above all the famed muslin cloth
of Dhaka. Obviously the state of the art of chemistry was in vogue although
no formal education in chemistry existed but the practice as intellectual
property and propriety continued to thrive in an admirable fashion.
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3. THE MODERN ERA
In the cauldron of historical melding process the British came out successful
in the long struggle for supremacy among the Europeans themselves and among
the local rulers of Bangladesh. Ultimately the British occupied Bangladesh
in 1757 and controlled the political and economic power. It was in 1835
that after a good deal of debates in the British Parliament, Lord Macaulay,
the President of the General Committee of Education in India recommended
the European education through the medium of English. It was indeed a momentous
decision and had far-reaching effects on the educational pattern of Bangladesh.
In the same year in 1835 the Calcutta Medical College was founded. Subsequently
most of the academic and professional institutions were established mostly
in and around Calcutta. The people of Bangladesh could not derive much
benefit out of these institutions. It is reported that the British under
the East India Company established the first school in Dhaka in July 1835
for teaching English literature and Science. This was later named as Dhaka
Collegiate School. When a new building was built a college named as Dhaka
College was also housed in the first floor of the building. Upto the end
of the First War of Independence (1857-58) from the British rule under
the agency of the British East India Company, there was not much progress
in the educational, economic and social reforms in the region of Bangladesh
which actually served as the hinterland of the India's capital Calcutta
upto 1911 and later on as the Head Quarter of Bengal upto 1947. The British
also suppressed with cruelty the rebellions movement against forced cultivation
of indigo in this region to extract the colouring matter for supplying
the dye to the Calico textile industries in Britain. After the suppression
of the War of Independence in 1858, the rule of the East India Company
was abolished and the British Government assumed direct rule under the
Crown. The India Council Act was passed in 1861 and gradually new schemes
of scientific and technological education were introduced. However, the
region of Bangladesh remained deprived of the educational, economic, social
and commercial activities since the focus and the thrust area of the developmental
programmes were directed around Calcutta. Upto the beginning of the 20th
century there were only 11 Colleges in Bangladesh. Chemistry was taught
at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Most of these Colleges offered
B. Sc. degree with chemistry as one of the combination of subjects mostly
comprising Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry. The Biological sciences
were started at a latter stage. It may be noted that the majority of the
population of Bangladesh during the period upto 1947 could not derive much
benefit out of the facilities of scientific, medical and engineering education
mainly for socio-economic and political reasons.
It was perhaps purely for the administrative reasons that during the
Viceroyalty of Lord Curzon a political partition of the Province of Bengal
was brought about in 1905. But again for the reasons of the exigencies
this partition was annulled in 1911 and the Capital of India was shifted
to New Delhi. The majority of the population of Bangladesh region were
adversely affected and remained backward in the educational and socio-economic
activities.
In 1912 the Nathan Committee of the British Government produced a detailed
report about the establishment of a residential teaching university at
Dhaka on the pattern of Oxford and Cambridge universities in England. After
a good deal of debates and obstructions from various quarters, the Indian
Legislative Council in 1920 passed the Dhaka University Act XVIII which
received the assent of the Governor General on the 23rd March 1920 for
the establishment of a unitary teaching and residential university at Dhaka
which started functioning on the 1st of July 1921.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Sadler Commission, students
were required to be accommodated in halls (dormitories) and the teaching
and curricula were entrusted to teachers of the respective Departments.
The planning of curricula administration to be vested on Academic Council.
The relevant departments to constitute the Faculties as Arts, Science,
Law, Medicine, Agriculture etc. Almost all the universities in Bangladesh
now follow the same academic and administrative infrastructures.
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4. CHEMICAL EDUCATION
AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF BANGLADESH
Chemistry was introduced as a major course of science for 3 years Honours
level and 2 years for ordinary graduation after the pre-university level
of education. The M. Sc. course is of one year duration for B. Sc. (Honours)
graduates and for 2 years duration for B.Sc. (Pass) graduation who are
required to pass M. Sc. (Preliminary) examination before taking up the
final course. In the beginning the 2 years Honours course in chemistry
was also continued for some time at some colleges under the Calcutta University
curriculum which was abolished soon after the establishment of Pakistan
in 1947. Bangladesh was then the Eastern wing of Pakistan. In addition
to the specialised courses of chemistry for university degrees, chemistry
is also followed as an essential requirement for degrees in medicine, engineering
and agriculture and as subsidiary or minor subject for many other science
major courses.
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4.1. Chemical Education in Dhaka
University
From the Year 1921 upto 1956 Dhaka University was the only university
in Bangladesh. In 1956, a second university was started at Rajshahi, more
or less on the same institutional requirements as those of Dhaka University.
Subsequently other universities established latter also followed similar
course system for chemical education. The major course contents comprised
topics on physical, organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry. However,
in the beginning, courses in Applied or Industrial Chemistry was given
as specialised subject along with chemistry which is nowadays being continued
to a lesser extent in the Department of Chemistry in view of the establishment
of separate department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology in
some universities. Biochemistry and Soil Science were previously offered
as specialised courses of Chemistry at Dhaka University. A separate Department
of Soil Science was started in Dhaka University in 1949 and Biochemistry
was established in 1957 having respective detailed specialised courses
for both B.Sc.(Honours) and M.Sc. levels. Department of Soil Science and
Agricultural Chemistry were also established at the only Agricultural University
in Bangladesh situated at Mymensingh. Chemistry courses are compulsory
for the graduation in different branches of agriculture, engineering and
medicine.
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4.2. University Administration
In view of the fact that universities in Bangladesh can not provide
residential accommodation in their halls of residence, a large majority
of students are classified as "attached" since, as per rule,
students have to be officially attached to one of the several halls of
residence under the administration of a provost who is assisted by a number
of senior and junior "house tutors". The positions of Provosts
and House Tutors are appointed from amongst the teachers of the university
belonging to some departments. The Vice-Chancellor is the administrative
head appointed by the Government of Bangladesh from amongst a panel of
3 nominees of the Senate. However, in some universities the Vice-Chancellors
are directly appointed by the Government of Bangladesh as is used to be
before the promulgation of the 1973 University Ordinance introducing the
democratic systems of University administration through election and the
tenure periods of the departmental chairmanship. The approximate numbers
of male and female students of various universities in the departments
imparting education in Chemical Sciences (chemistry, applied chemistry,
chemical technology, chemical engineering, biochemistry, soil science and
pharmacy) and of the only Agricultural University are indicated in Table 1.
Table 1. Approximate number of students
in the faculties providing education of chemical sciences in the universities
of Bangladesh as in 1994.
| Universities |
Male |
Female |
| Dhaka University |
1250 |
350 |
| Rajshahi University |
1089 |
220 |
| Chittagong University |
712 |
124 |
| Jahangirnagar University |
450 |
85 |
| Sylhet University |
228 |
15 |
| Khulna University(1) |
- |
- |
| National University |
3400 |
650 |
| BUET(2) |
310 |
50 |
| BAU(3) |
220 |
25 |
| Islamic University |
- |
- |
| BIT(4) |
400 |
20 |
(1) Specialised courses in chemistry not introduced
but as minor subjectinvolving 315 students.
(2) Bangladesh University of Engineering and
Technology (BUET). In addition to chemical
engineering, B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. students
there are also pure chemistry M.Phil and Ph.D.
students. Besides chemistry undergraduate
courses are compulsory for the other engineering
students. There are about 204 male and 25 female
students in the departments of Industrial Production
and Metallurgical Engineering.
(3) Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) where
soil science and agricultural chemistry departments
exist with specialised courses in chemistry but
almost all other agricultural students are
required to take chemistry as undergraduate
course. There are 7 faculties at BAU and the
total number of students is about 5000.
(4) There are 4 Bangladesh Institute of Technology
where undergraduate courses in basic chemistry are given.
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4.3. University Colleges
Jagannath College, one of the oldest and a premier college has been
declared to be upgraded to a full-fledged university in November 1995.
There are about 1500 students in the under-graduate and graduate levels
in chemistry. More than 17 colleges have been recognized as University
Colleges in view of the fact that these are imparting education upto Honours
and M.Sc. levels. However, such University Colleges where chemical education
of Honours and M.Sc. level exist are 9. University colleges are being established
to bring about uniformity in the educational system.
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5. THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
The National University was established in 1991 and entrusted with the
responsibility of affiliation of all the degree level colleges in Bangladesh.
This university has relieved the universities of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Chittagong
from the rigmarole of examinations, monitoring and inspection duties at
college levels and reverted back to purely residential teaching institutions.
However, the National University undertakes the responsibility of affiliation,
monitoring and inspection of the colleges particularly arranging the examinations
at the graduate level and also for M.Sc. degree. The National University
follows the traditional system of examination on the basis of paperwise
evaluation but has formulated courses in chemistry for the Part 1, Part
2 and Part 3 annual examinations for Honours and subsidiary examinations
in 2 years namely Part 1 and Part 2. The annual examinations also include
laboratory experiments as those used to be practiced in the traditional
system of evaluation. The National University affiliates a very large number
of colleges about 700 mostly for Arts and Commerce but there are only 17
Colleges which provide Chemistry Honours and M.Sc. level of education and
215 Colleges have facilities for B.Sc. Pass courses. Out of about 182000
candidates who appeared for graduate degree examination in 1994 there were
about 4000 only who appeared for science graduation and almost all of them
offered chemistry as one of the combination of the required 3 different
subjects.
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6. PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES AND MEDICAL
COLLEGES
There are about 10 Private universities which impart education to the
wards of well-to-do families. Business administration and commerce are
the main subjects. Only one or two universities provide education in chemistry
dealing with environmental sciences. University of Science and Technology,
Chittagong at present acts as a feeder institution to a Private Medical
College at Chittagong mainly in elementary biochemistry and pharmacy.
There are 12 Medical Colleges in Bangladesh including one dental college
and all these institutions impart education in chemistry of a limited scope
but on relevant topical interest. The total number of the medical students
receiving the elementary chemical education shall be about 4780 male and
2034 female students.
7. DIPLOMA LEVEL TECHNICAL
EDUCATION
The number of technical colleges offering diploma courses in various
vocational and professional skilled jobs is around 40. Every year a large
number of students appear for diploma certificate examination and some
of them do take elementary chemical course and food technology processing
as an optional subjects. In 1993 some 54 students appeared in chemistry
and 13 students in Food Processing. The total number of candidates who
appeared in all the categories in 1993 was over 16000. These polytechnic
are controlled by the Director of Technical Education.
The Bangladesh Institute of Technology (BIT) which provide B.Sc. degree
in Engineering has been mentioned before. There are 4 BIT and the total
number of students in 1993 was about 3000. These are under the direct control
of Ministry of Education. In addition to the Polytechnic Institutes with
large number of students, there is one Institute of Graphic Arts, one Textile
College, one Leather Technology College, one Glass and Ceramic Institution,
three Agricultural Colleges, one Home Economics College, and one Technical
Teachers Training College. All these institutions follow some elementary
courses in chemistry relevant to the specific job requirements. The administrative
and the academic control of the technical colleges and polytechnic institutes
are under the control of Directorate of Technical Education which also
exercises control over 51 Vocational Training Institutes.
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8. HIGHER SECONDARY LEVEL
CHEMICAL EDUCATION
This level covers the pre-university or predegree stage of education.
In addition, the degree level colleges under the academic jurisdiction
of the National University, many of these also provide higher secondary
level of chemical education for science students as compulsory subject.
This level of higher secondary education is under the academic jurisdiction
of 5 Boards of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. Besides there
are purely higher secondary colleges previously known as Intermediate Colleges
which are not affiliated to the National University but are governed by
the Directorate of Public Instruction and the examinations are held under
the 5 Boards. There are more than 500 purely Intermediate colleges. The
total number of students in the government and non-government colleges
catering for the higher secondary and degree levels of education in 1993
was 912985 of which 637648 were males and 275337 were females in 1031 colleges.
Considering that 30% of students take up chemistry as their combination
the calculated number stands upto about 273895. The total number of student
at the Higher Secondary level in non-government Intermediate colleges is
90202 male and 45740 female in 336 colleges in 1993. Both the private and
government Higher Secondary Colleges are under the administrative control
of the Directorate of Public Instruction of the Ministry of Education.
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8.1. Secondary Level Education
The number of Secondary Schools for boys and girls are more than 11392
as in 1993. There must has been some increase in the number of the so-called
high schools for boys and girls because during the period of the present
Government special measures have been taken particularly for the expansion
of school education for the girls who are provided free schooling. The
present syllabus for the secondary level do contain some aspects of the
elements of chemistry for Secondary School Certificate examination. The
Government of Bangladesh with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank
has set up a National Committee for upgrading the syllabus and course contents
of the Secondary and Higher Secondary levels of education including chemistry
and to prescribe and produce standard books on modern lines taking into
considerations contemporary developments in the field of education in chemistry.
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9. COMPARISON AMONG TEXT BOOKS
A very large number of books of various authors are available in Bangladesh
for higher secondary level in chemistry and some books for the schools
in general science including elements of chemistry. All these books follow
the same old patterns of classical chemistry which was in vogue since a
few decades ago. Most of the books for the higher secondary level are in
Bengali and do not represent the modern developments of modern conceptual
approach of the text and are devoid of practical significance of chemistry.
Isolated attempts of some authors to produce books on the basis of Nuffield
recommendations or Chemical Bond Approach did not meet with success since
the contents were not prescribed by the Text Book Board. The teachers and
students continued to follow the subject matters of chemistry in the form
of mostly classical descriptive nature in details. Most of the books are
in the shape of a voluminous collection of matters with numerous repetitions.
There are also note books which deal with questions and answers in physical,
organic and inorganic chemistry both for the degree level and for the Higher
Secondary students who are inclined to learn the subject by committing
to memory. Keeping in view that the curricula of general colleges, secondary
levels and even primary school are outdated, the Government of Bangladesh
under the General Education Project and the National Curriculum and Text
Book Board, constituted a Committee named as National Committee for the
Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in 1995. Accordingly the Curriculum
Committee for chemistry has formulated the new curriculum for the Higher
Secondary level and the work on the Secondary Curriculum level is in progress.
There are expertise members in the Committee from other counties where
exercises on curriculum development have proved to be successful. The Committee
has also been entrusted with the task of producing text books in chemistry
dealing with the modern aspects of chemical education which are significant
and compatible to the international standard and the need of the country.
Thus the Committee for upgrading the chemical education at the Secondary
and Higher Secondary levels for chemical education have consulted and derived
benefits out of the syllabuses followed in India, Singapore, Indonesia,
Malaysia, London, Philippines and the `O` and `A` levels of syllabuses
of the Cambridge University.
It is to be mentioned that the `O` and `A` levels of chemistry education
is being followed in some specialised private institution which has adopted
exclusively English language as the medium of instructions. Such schools
are only few and far between and located in large cities especially Dhaka
and Chittagong. These schools are privately run and meant for the wards
of rich families.
There are 10 Cadet Colleges in Bangladesh with an enrolment of more
than 3000 i.e. 300 students per college. The Cadet College network is now
able to widen its intake opportunities to a larger section of the society.
The end-product of Cadet Colleges are of higher secondary level which have
better facilities and system of discipline and education. These colleges
enrol students possessing higher IQ rating and mostly come from the rich
families although some students are selected on the basis of merit.
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10. THE BACKGROUND OF GOVERNMENT'S
POLICY FOR THE UPGRADATION OF SECONDARY LEVEL COURSES IN CHEMISTRY
The Government of Bangladesh in accordance with the statement of the
National Development Plan realised the need for a high qualitative standard
of education backed by dynamic R & D system to promote technical capability
for socio-economic development to ensure a meaningful commitment and accountability
to people's welfare. Chemistry being one of the most important instrument
in the development plans providing a basic foundation for process development
and industrialisation was considered for upgradation on priority basis
along with other fields of science with emphasis on the modern principles
and applications. The exercises on upgradation have been recommended by
the Education Commissions set up from time to time. In 1995 the National
Curriculum and Text Book Committee has decided to introduce new books for
school and college levels. The deteriorating standard of education particularly
in the schools and colleges and also the pre-university level has warranted
the setting up of a special National Committee for modernisation of the
course contents and the techniques of implementing the education in chemistry
particularly the practical applications of the subject.
It is presumed that the Committee shall meet the requirements of the
modern time and take a visionary approach for chemical education in Bangladesh
at the moment when the next century is just knocking at the doorsteps.
In the old syllabuses there are contents which are outdated in the global
context. However, the idea of the acquisition of knowledge is not merely
a means to an end. Therefore, the emphasis on the ethical and social values
and the idea pertaining to self-employment have been emphasised. A useful
blending of modern conceptual approach and practical implication and applications
with the spirit of service and welfare to the nation has been taken into
consideration. The development of the capability and practical skills is
of prime importance which can be properly implemented only by competent
trained teachers. Therefore the training programme for teachers in the
methodology of teaching chemistry has to be properly implemented.
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10.1. The Reeves Committee
Prior to the establishment of the National Committee for the Development
of Curriculum and Text Book in 1995, the syllabuses of the General Science
for secondary level (High School Leaving Certificate) under the auspices
of the National Education and Text Book Board with the advisory services
of Mr. John E. Reeves of the British Government developed an updated conceptual
approach to the study of chemistry as a part of an integrated science course
along with physics courses. After an exercise of about 5 years (1985-1989)
the text on science contained updated conceptual approach and description
of simple equipment with illustrations. The modern concepts of atoms, molecules,
elements, compounds, chemical bonds, chemical forces, reactions, periodic
nature of elements were included in the syllabus with modern touch of the
subject matter. Production of some industrial chemicals, generation of
electricity by chemical reactions, conductors, non-conductors, electrochemical
analysis and practical electroplating were also introduced. The use of
carbon compounds and some elementary aspects of organic chemistry such
as hydrocarbons, alcohol, acids, aldehydes, ketones were included. Elementary
treatments of petroleum industry, soap manufacture, sugar and plastics
were familiarised. Rudimentary ideas about biogas and other forms of energy
were briefly mentioned. A chapter on silica and the building materials
such as bricks, cement, concrete and glass was also included. Every chapter
was followed by a summary asking the students to look back as to what he
has learnt. The students were also given the elementary knowledge of the
properties, structures and compositions of common substances to show the
dependence on atomic arrangements. Interesting and thought-provoking questions
are appended to each chapter. As mentioned before, the courses in chemistry
was integrated with those of physics, the total marks were 100.
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10.2. Upgradation of Marks for S.S.C
Level Chemistry
However, the recently constituted National Committee has revised the
marking and 100 marks have been allotted to chemistry curriculum (for both
theory and practical) at the Secondary School Examination.
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11. DEVELOPMENT OF LOW COST
EQUIPMENT FOR TEACHING CHEMISTRY IN BANGLADESH
Of late, the matter of conducting experiments during chemical education
whether at schools, colleges or universities in Bangladesh has received
a set-back because of the prohibitive costs of imported equipment, instrumental
materials and chemicals in general. However, attempts have been made, mostly
by young meritorious students and some dedicated teachers with the support
of the Government of Bangladesh to hold science exhibitions and fairs on
a wide scale in order to devise equipment and apparatuses of a varied nature
based on local materials.
The methods and techniques of chemical education in advanced countries
are based on abundant supply of instructional materials such as varieties
of text books, reference books, journals and audio-visual aids and modern
equipment and also plenty of chemicals of every category. In Bangladesh
it is not possible to afford such a course system. But efforts are being
made with limited resources to bring about improvement in chemical education
suitable to local conditions. Chemistry must be taught as a useful tool
for the study of local environment insofar as its practical as well as
the cultural and intellectual values are concerned. Chemistry is one of
man's major intellectual and technological achievements beginning from
the dawn of civilisation and therefore the education in chemistry should
be directed not only for the sense of order it provides of our environment
but also for its fruits. Chemistry therefore, should be taught in terms
of experience in enquiry and for the realisation of its practical utility
through laboratory experiments, field trips, factory visits and orientation
in research laboratories.
In Bangladesh the paucity of laboratory equipment could be made up through
fabrication of equipment making use of local materials, wastes and natural
products and experiments so designed as to deal with some aspects of local
requirements and solve problems.
At the elementary level experiments involving refining of raw sugar,
the use of dyes from flowers for acid-base indicators, the collection and
testing of marsh gas, the preparation of plaster of paris, the treatment
of water pollution using water hyacinth, preparation of alum from factory
waste, the use of vegetables such as carrot in osmosis experiments, column
chromatography using chalk powder and separation of components from tree
leaves extracts and other such experiments have been developed. For college
level, filter papers have been used to identify cis-trans mixed isomers
of some inorganic metal complexes which are placed in the middle of the
paper and eluted with solutions. The isomers are distinguished by formation
of coloured rings around the sample on the paper.
A model of Solvay Process has been designed as an experiment in undergraduate
class by generation of carbon dioxide passed through an ammoniacal solution
of brine in a large capacity beaker through the stem of an inverted funnel
by means of rubber tubing connected to the carbon dioxide generator. The
crystals of sodium hydrogen carbonate are separated and analysed for purity
and for conversion to sodium carbonate. Cheap tube furnaces of different
capacities have been designed with a relay system for the control of temperature.
A cryoscopic instrument using a thermistor as temperature measuring element
instead of a Backman thermometer has been designed in order to determine
the molecular weight of appropriate substance and also measure the dissociation
constant, association, charge and charge transfer complexes. A simple magnetic
balance consisting of a movable permanent magnet of about 5000 gauss has
been constructed for the measurement of magnetic susceptibility. The balance
beam of metallic copper is suspended from the top of a cylindrical brass
casing with the help of phosphor bronze wire and the movement of the copper
beam due to the torque applied to the hanging wire is dampened by a trough
containing liquid paraffin. The sample tube is suspended in the middle
of the pole pieces from the tip of the long arm of copper beam and the
circular movement of the magnet imparts a dragging force which gives rise
to a torque in the phosphors bronze wire to which a small mirror is affixed
to measure the reflection of a scale. The scale readings gives the measure
of magnetic susceptibility. A standard substances of known magnetic moment
such as Mohr Salt etc. are used for calibration.
The organisation of IUPAC, UNESCO and TWAS have extended help and co-operation
in holding Workshops and Training Programme on LPLC Instrument such as
pH meter, conductivity meter, polarimeter and other equipment which have
been fabricated by the trainees who are teachers of the colleges and universities
with the readily available components, electronic parts and other materials.
The assistance of UNESCO and personal help of some foreign expertise have
been fruitful. Recently some universities in Bangladesh have received a
good number of sophisticated scientific equipment for research under the
Japanese Government grant-in-aid.
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12. ADMISSION PROBLEMS
It is to be mentioned that admission to schools, colleges and the universities
are not entirely free from the string-pulling and abuse of control because
of limited number of seats particularly in large cities. This exigency
has given rise to the demands of donations particularly in good schools.
The conditions in the college level is not better since the admission seekers
first crowd the precincts of good government colleges. The admission system
at the universities previously used to be done on the basis of admission
test and previous academic records of the students by the department concerned.
But since last decade the admission to the Departments of Chemistry, Applied
Chemistry, Biochemistry, Soil Science, Pharmacy and all other Departments
of all faculties are conducted centrally by the Deans of the Faculty of
Science and the Faculty of Biological Sciences for science subjects including
chemistry after a written test. Marks of the secondary and higher secondary
examinations and an oral test or interview are also taken into account.
Out of a total number of about 12-15 thousand candidates only about 1000
are admitted in Dhaka University in departments catering for chemical sciences.
In effect, the candidates are directed to take admission according to the
options indicated in the form of application for admission. This method
has created confusion since in most cases the candidates who have indicated
first options for Chemistry or Applied Chemistry are forced to take admission
in Departments such as Zoology or Mathematics with a probable opportunity
to be transferred to the first option subject in case seats become available
due to vacancy. This process leads to delay in starting the classes during
the admission calendar month and is one of the causes of session jams in
the universities of Bangladesh. Dhaka University, the premier institution
has adopted academic calendar annually with the determination to eliminate
session jams and it is hopefully expected that there will be no back-log
in implementation of the courses and holding of examinations from 1996-97
session. The admission problem in other universities and colleges are of
similar nature.
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13. CHEMICAL SOCIETY AND CHEMICAL
EDUCATION
Bangladesh Chemical Society is relatively a new organisation and came
into being in 1973. The Society has achieved a truly national character
by spreading the organisational activities to involve chemists as members
of the society from the academic institutions, industrial establishments
and research organisations. However, it has not yet achieved the Charter
of the Government of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Chemical Society is a learned
body, a non-governmental and non-political organisation of graduate professional
chemists from all walks of life. One of the main objectives of the Society
is to take part in the programmes of upgrading the quality of chemical
education and research developments and promote industrial and technological
output. Apart from being a learned body, the Society looks after the welfare,
job-opportunity, job-security and safeguarding the professional positions
of the chemists and chemical technologists. Quite recently the Bangladesh
Chemical Society submitted representation to the Chairman of the National
Curriculum and Text Book Board and the Secretary Ministry of Education
with regard to the introduction of 100 marks in chemistry at the Secondary
School level in place of 50 marks. The efforts met with success. Most of
the members of the Society in the universities and colleges are involved
in the framing, recasting and upgrading of the curricula of the universities
and colleges as well as taking part in the curriculum development programmes
of the University Grants Commission. The author himself acted as the Chairman
of the UGC Curriculum Committee for framing an upgraded and modernised
syllabuses in chemistry for the university levels containing the diverse
fields which have recently assumed significance from the point of view
of applications of chemistry.
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14. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
EDUCATION
This multidisciplinary subject has been incorporated in the syllabuses
of all the universities at the graduate and post-graduate levels. However,
the basic principle of local environment protection has been in vogue at
the school levels since quite some time. Environmental science has assumed
a greater significance since the problems of pollution of the environment
have generated world-wide awareness. Text books for both the school level
and the university courses include the environmental studies. The university
education, both undergraduate and post-graduate levels on environment now
exist in all the universities as compulsory courses. However, the present
position in Bangladesh about environmental issue appear to be split up
among different ministries and departments resulting in some conflicts
of plans and programmes for the sake of co-ordination. Inspite of these
obstacles the programme of environmental education has already gained great
momentum as indicated in Table 2.
Table 2. Institutions involved in Environmental
Education
| Primary Schools |
Integrated elements of local environment |
| Secondary Schools |
Integrated curriculum |
| Higher Secondary level |
No specified curriculum |
| Undergraduate level |
No curriculum at college level |
| B.Sc. Honours level |
Both as major and minor subjects exist. Course contents varies from university
to university. |
| Post-graduate levels |
Both compulsory and optional courses in Environmental Chemistry |
| Research |
Research in the field of environmental chemistry is very strong at the
departments of chemistry and applied chemistry, chemical engineering and
also at research institutions. |
Bangladesh Environmental Society, although consists of members from
all relevant discipline of science, social science, engineering and technology
the President and many senior members have been elected from the chemistry
departments of the universities of Bangladesh. Moreover, the National Committee
of International Geosphere Biosphere Programmes of International Scientific
Union under the auspices of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences consists of
mostly persons who are involved in chemical education and research at the
university levels.
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15. TRAINING AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING
There are 10 Teachers Training Colleges at present and it has been planned
to build a number of Science Education Development Centers by the Government.
Primary Training Institutes have been expanded in view of the fact that
Primary level of education has been made compulsory for all. There is also
a National Academy for Primary Education which provides support to the
Primary Training Institutes. The Government of Bangladesh has also introduced
the examination system under Bangladesh Civil Service for recruitment of
college teachers who are also trained at a Center of Excellence. The number
of Primary and Secondary Training Institutes and the male and female trainees
in 1993 were as in Table 3.
Table 3. Training Institutes and the number
of trainees.
| Year |
Teacher Training College Secondary Level |
Teachers TrainingInstitutes Primary Level |
| Nos. of Colleges |
Nos. of trainees |
Nos. of Institutes |
Nos. of trainees |
| Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
| 1993 |
10 |
2983 |
1469 |
54 |
2662 |
2348 |
An Institute for Advancement of Science and Technology Teaching (IASTT)
conducts in-service science courses for teachers of universities, colleges,
institutes of technology, polytechnics and other specialised institutions.
IASTT was established in 1969 on the basis of experience gained during
summer science courses of 4-6 weeks started with U.S. Aid in 1962. Upto
date about 5000 teachers have been trained. Unfortunately IASTT has grossly
inadequate physical facilities, staff strength and other logistics for
appropriate training programmes.
The Technical Training College at Dhaka and the Vocational Teachers
Training Institute at Bogra provide training to teachers in technical fields.
The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) has established an International
Institute at Dhaka known as ICTVTR which provide training to students from
various Islamic Countries.
With the co-operation of National Commission for UNESCO, programmes
of workshops are held from time to time in order to impart training to
chemistry teachers of the universities and college levels during summer
recess under IASTT.
Institute of Chemists and Chemical Technologists (ICCT) has been established
by the Bangladesh Chemical Society in 1990. The ICCT has been providing
in-service training through the programmes of workshops, seminars and symposia
and if arrangements could be made, for training in practical fields of
chemistry.
Teachers training and periodical orientation within Bangladesh at the
University level for chemical education suffers from inadequate initiative
and lack of endeavours. The scholarships, fellowships and visit programmes
to advanced countries are few and far between and do not serve the institutional
needs except the demands for promotions, pay rise and strengthening of
research activities of individuals. An Institute of Scientific Instrumentation
under the University Grants Commission trains technicians for the science
laboratories of the universities in Bangladesh to help maintain, repair
and operate scientific equipment.
The Institute of Education and Research under the University of Dhaka.
Provides training to teachers and awards both diploma and M.Ed. degrees.
The Teachers Training Colleges awards B.Ed. degree to successful students.
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16. MASS EDUCATION
The multi-dimensional project which involves eradication of illiteracy
has now been brought under Adult Literacy Programme. It does not involve
chemistry education for obvious reasons. But the existing high illiteracy
need special attention and a crash programme to upgrade the literacy at
a speedy growth for fruitful participation in the developmental activities
has to be organised.
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17. OPEN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF CHEMICAL
EDUCATION
An institute under the name Bangladesh Institute of Distance Education
(BIDE) existed possibly upto 1984 to conduct school broadcasting programmes
and offer audio-visual technological assistance to the National Institute
of Education Administration, Extension and Research (NIEAER), the Teachers
Training Colleges, the Primary Training Institute and the National Academy
for Primary Education (NAPE). The BIDE was a spill-over project and was
completed in June 1986. It was further strengthened during 1987-88 and
introduced successfully the Experimental Distance Education B.Ed. degree
programme. The BIDE was therefore limited in scope and content. In October
1992, the Government of Bangladesh established the Open University after
winding up of BIDE for distance education.
Chemistry education deals heavily on practical work and laboratory experiments
and on this count, it is a challenging task to provide teaching of chemistry
through distance education. However, there is a developing willingness
throughout chemistry teaching to recognise the needs of the distance learning
as compared to the laboratory experiments. In Bangladesh all institutions
upto the secondary and higher secondary and even some colleges have no
facilities and funds to provide campus laboratory practical experiments.
In addition to the laboratory infrastructure, chemistry experiments require
materials which are expendable and are not easily available in Bangladesh.
The development of audio-visual cassettes in developing the experimental
courses has proved valuable and fruitful in chemical education. In most
cases the informal methodology to address the learner directly is appealing
since experiments can be shown which, in some cases, can not be carried
out in the laboratory. Moreover, microlevel chemical kits may be supplemented
for home experiments. In addition, the development of video games and CD-ROM
format provide the means to develop many of the traditional and modern
laboratory skill outside the laboratory.
In order to introduce a dynamic approach in a complex socio-economic
settings as prevalent in Bangladesh there are quite a large number of drop-outs
from secondary and higher secondary institutions and some of these people
might be in some jobs but want to complete their studies. The systems of
distance learning through the programme of Bangladesh Open University (BOU)
have been very helpful. BOU programmes are broadcast for 30 minutes every
day. The programmes are also telecast for about 30 minutes by Bangladesh
Television for 5 days a week.
Books have been prepared by DTP method for the distance learning and
these books are despatched to students. These books have different approach
as compared to the traditional books. The presentation of subject matters
in the book makes the learner feel the presence of a hypothetical teacher
and the books are divided into small units for better assimilation. BOU
has 10 Regional Resource Centers and 80 Local Study Centers for counselling
and assignment. In case of need Mobile Study Center is being used. The
students are examined according to the feedback and cumulative tests at
the end of a certain number of unit blocks. At present some 53000 students
are enrolled at BOU for all courses offered. The number of students in
chemistry is limited in view of the lack of trained manpower in the subject.
BOU has now started the Secondary School Certificate programme mainly for
drop-outs and private learners.
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18. BRAIN DRAIN
In recent decades, there has been progressive migration of competent
scientists, technologists and technicians from Bangladesh to more advanced
countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. There
are mainly two reasons for this exodus. Firstly the basic emoluments in
Bangladesh is extremely low and secondly the opportunity and facilities
for developmental work is scarcely available. Therefore competent research
workers, teachers and management experts in the fields of chemical sciences
have migrated to advanced countries for better salaries and for the facilities
of work. Many bright students just leave the country for higher studies
abroad and do not return since the opportunity for contributions in the
field of their specialisation do not exist in Bangladesh. Many mediocre
also find better job opportunities in the Middle Eastern countries as skilled
workers. As a result the universities and colleges in Bangladesh have now
started recruiting lower grade people as teachers. This phenomenon of brain
drain has been detrimental to the maintenance of the standard of education
for which the Government of Bangladesh is much concerned. It is for this
reason that the National Curriculum Committee and Text Book Board has been
constituted with foreign assistance for the upgradation of the standard
of education. Unless training programmes are strengthened and implemented
properly it will be hard task to achieve a breakthrough in this endeavour.
It is also to be mentioned that the problem of session jam has also been
responsible for a huge number of students at the school, college and university
levels to go abroad especially neighbouring India in order to complete
their education within the scheduled time frame which is not possible in
Bangladesh mainly due to unfavourable profile prevailing in the educational
institutions at present.
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19. CONCLUSION
The role of chemical education in the process of development of a nation
and need to adopt useful guidelines and effective implementation of the
programmes can not be overemphasised. The guidelines and the policy ultimately
should aim at the improvement of the quality of life of the people and
directed toward the welfare of common man. The principles for which chemical
education be oriented to practical applications include issues which involve
food, agriculture, public health, energy resources, land use, water resources,
mineral exploitation, industrial infrastructures, technological advancement,
the environmental protection, transfer of technology for assimilation with
endogenous endeavours, information, communication and above all the advancement
of ethical and social responsibility of the people as a whole and particularly
of people involved in chemical education and research programmes.
The system of education followed in Bangladesh starting from the primary
level to the university level correspond more or less with the pattern
depicted in Fig. 1. A page from the proposed
text book for Higher Secondary Level (Pre-university undergraduate) is
being appended as an example of the standard followed for Chemical Education
in Bangladesh through the medium of Bengali language (Appenedix
A).
Fig. 1
Appendix A
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Bangladesh Chemical
Education in Asia Pacific
Fig. 1
Appendix A