THE narrowing employment opportunities caused by a widening academic skills-market demand mismatch in Bangladesh is driving university students to take their own lives.

Shovon (not his real name), who recently graduated from Dhaka University, talked about how depression brought him to the brink of suicide with Anadolu Agency (AA).

“I was too old (30 years old) for government jobs at the time of the pandemic in 2020,” he said.

“I lost my part-time job and tuition, so I had to return to the village as I was not financially able to survive amid the lockdown in Dhaka.

“Some of my friends succeeded in securing government jobs, prompting my parents and relatives to express their frustration on me.

“I lost my circle of friends and became isolated. I felt empty deep inside, depressed and frustrated. Finally, I attempted suicide.

“But I survived, and coped with the support of some friends.”

At least 100 university students committed suicide in Bangladesh last year, of which 64.4% are male, according to a study by Aachol Foundation, which works to prevent suicide among students.

“Students’ inability to adapt to an uncertain future and their lack of accessibility to adequate educational opportunities may be classified as the primary catalyst of suicide cases,” said Tansen Rose, the founding president of the foundation.

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic

Psychology professor Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury told AA that the young generation’s mental strength has deteriorated, exacerbated by the pandemic.

He said depression and financial insecurity during the pandemic remain major causes of the deterioration, adding that social hype for government jobs, high expectations and the lack of mental stability among fresh graduates have led to this fragile state.

“Lack of participation in sports, social and cultural activities impedes mental growth, making youth to become isolated. Once their expectations are unmet, they become depressed and take the path of suicide.”

The clinical psychologist called for mental health specialists at the national level to support young people as mental healthcare remains overlooked in the country.

Market demand-skills mismatch

A World Bank report said only 19% of college graduates are found to be either employed full-time or part-time, while almost half are unemployed.

Policymakers should focus on enhancing the quality and relevance of education by modernising curriculum and facilities, added the report.

The Global Knowledge Index said one in three graduates remain unemployed in Bangladesh due to the poor education system – the country ranked 112th out of 138 countries.

Zahid Hussain, a former lead economist of the World Bank office in Dhaka, told AA that unemployment among higher-degree holders is very high in Bangladesh compared with other countries.

“Despite the growing demand for skilled manpower in the market, a large number of graduates remain unemployed, as the existing education curriculum fails to produce the required manpower.

“We have to hire a huge number of foreigners in sectors like ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, hospitality management, tertiary hospitals, technical workers and so on.

“If the private sector wants to recruit local graduates, they have to invest in skill upgradation. There is a mismatch between market demand and academic curricula.”

The education quality and its relevance remain a critical concern in Bangladesh, he added.

Chowdhury said: “The flawed, competition- and exam-based education system, which has so many mediums of education, is a major cause behind the prevailing frustration among students in the country.”

Hussain suggested a need-based education system that meets the industry demands, saying just a good academic result cannot ensure a good private job.

Bangladesh, however, unveiled a revised and competency-based National Curriculum Framework in schools to be enacted in 2025, as the existing education system mostly fails to assess the skills and efficiency of students. – AFP, February 9, 2022.