In the 1990s, opportunities for higher education in Bangladesh were extremely limited. A small number of public universities could not meet the growing demand from upper- and middle-class families. As a result, many students pursued higher studies abroad — particularly in India, Europe, and North America — financing their education privately. This led to brain drain and a significant outflow of foreign currency.
To address the crisis, the government enacted the Private University Act in 1992, allowing the establishment of private universities so students could pursue higher education within the country using their own funds. Over the past three decades, the number of private universities has risen to 117.
However, serious questions remain about quality. Many institutions lack even the minimum facilities required to function as proper universities. Despite this, they charge exorbitant tuition fees. In numerous cases, academic activities are weak, and some institutions appear more focused on issuing certificates than delivering meaningful education.
A major concern is the shortage of qualified teachers and essential facilities. Many private universities lack adequate faculty members, laboratories, libraries, and permanent campuses. Some operate from rented buildings, with entire departments run by only one or two lecturers. Even several well-known institutions with their own buildings do not provide basic facilities such as residential halls or playgrounds.
As a result, many graduates suffer from learning gaps and struggle in the job market. This skills deficit is contributing to the rising number of educated unemployed in the country.
Governance is another pressing issue. Boards of Trustees play the central role in managing private universities — from appointing faculty and staff to determining curricula. However, internal conflicts among trustees are common. In some reputed institutions, disputes have disrupted academic and research activities, leaving students to suffer. Allegations of financial irregularities involving trustee members have further damaged institutional credibility.
Curriculum quality is also a concern. While some universities attempt to modernize their syllabi, implementation often falls short due to a lack of skilled teachers and laboratory facilities. Consequently, students do not receive education aligned with current market demands, nor do they get adequate opportunities to develop practical skills.
Commercialization has become a defining feature of many private universities. What began as an alternative to limited public university seats has increasingly turned into a profit-driven enterprise. Today, not only students from affluent families but also meritorious students from lower-middle and low-income backgrounds enroll in private institutions. Some families even sell land to finance their children’s education. Yet many universities continue to impose steep and frequently increasing tuition fees.
Although private education naturally costs more than public education, charging fees far beyond actual expenses raises ethical and regulatory questions. In many cases, institutions appear to prioritize revenue generation over academic excellence.
Under the Private University Act 2010, tuition fees are supposed to be determined in line with the country’s socio-economic conditions and reported to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Universities are also required to maintain a general fund where tuition and other income are deposited and spent transparently. The law identifies six potential sources of funding, including donations, grants, loans, and other approved income.
In practice, however, most private universities rely almost entirely on tuition fees. Oversight appears weak, and fee structures are often set arbitrarily.
The burden on students is substantial. Abbas, a Pharmacy student from Cumilla studying at a mid-range private university in Banani, Dhaka, says he pays Tk56,000 per semester in tuition, excluding additional charges. His monthly living expenses range between Tk11,000 and Tk12,000. Altogether, he requires around Tk128,000 per semester and Tk256,000 annually — a heavy burden for a family with modest incomes. Failure to pay on time means he cannot sit for examinations.
Similarly, a student from the Economics Department of a leading private university in Dhaka reports that his per-credit fee has risen from Tk4,000 to Tk5,500 over four years. His semester cost has increased from around Tk50,000–55,000 to over Tk70,000. With three semesters a year and monthly living expenses of Tk13,000, his annual cost now exceeds Tk350,000.
“Our universities charge cut-throat tuition fees. There is no effective monitoring,” he says. “Some may ask why we chose private universities — but what alternative did we have?”
The fundamental question remains: why are tuition fees rising so sharply without corresponding improvements in quality?
If private universities are to fulfill their original mandate, they must prioritize academic standards, transparent governance, and diversified funding sources. Without meaningful reforms, higher education risks becoming increasingly commercialized — delivering degrees at high cost, but not the quality or skills students and the country need.
Courtesy: Daily Sun
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
