Unemployment: A Product of the Education System

Category :
Education Crisis & Youth Unemployment
unemployment-product-of-education-system
Author ::
Salzar Rahman Sabu
Jul 27, 2025
visibility 58 Read
The original purpose of English education was to create a clerical workforce necessary to run colonial administration. It hardly needs explaining what a blunder it is to try to turn an entire nation into clerks.
Yet, even after the British left, we have continued with that same education system, producing an overwhelming number of clerks—which has led to a massive unemployment crisis in our country (and similar countries). We are drowning in that crisis.
 
Even before we can create new jobs, hundreds of thousands of new clerks are graduating and entering the workforce. The nation is struggling under the weight of these educated unemployed individuals. Uneducated people are rarely unemployed, as they do not hesitate to engage in physical labor.
But when someone collects one or two certificates, they can no longer be employed in manual labor. Their surroundings and mindset become a towering wall, higher than the Himalayas, that blocks their path.
 
One of the primary goals of education is the development and advancement of human resources. But the education system we currently have does not meet the needs of the times—much less the needs of the intellect. Instead of being a vehicle for progress, the existing system has become a burden to society.
No matter how much we glorify our education, we have not made significant progress. The colonial education system that once at least served the British has lost even that minimal relevance in independent Bangladesh. This is not just unfortunate—it is shameful.
 
According to the 2023 Quarterly Labour Force Survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the total labor force in the first quarter of 2024 was 73.7 million. By the end of that quarter, the number of unemployed had risen to 2.59 million, up from 2.35 million in the previous quarter (October–December 2023). That’s an increase of 240,000 unemployed in just three months (Bangla Tribune, May 6, 2024).
 
This trend of rising unemployment continues in Bangladesh. What is most alarming is the situation of the highly educated. The 2022 full report by the Bureau of Statistics states that 12% of university graduates are unemployed. By 2023, the number of unemployed graduates had doubled in five years, reaching 800,000. A pre-COVID ILO report showed that among 28 Asia-Pacific countries, Bangladesh had the second-highest rate of educated unemployment—just behind Pakistan.
 
According to the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), the overall unemployment rate is 3.6%, while youth unemployment accounts for nearly 80% of that. As a result, for every job opening, applicants with higher qualifications than required often apply. For example, between December and March 2024, Bangladesh Railway hired 2,172 waymen in two phases—a fourth-grade job involving physically demanding tasks such as track maintenance. The required qualification was SSC or equivalent, yet most of those hired had Master’s degrees.
 
Moreover, due to a lack of moral education, many Bangladeshis have lost or are losing job opportunities in the Middle East (Bangladesh Economic Association). A report by The Economist Intelligence Unit (London-based) states that Bangladesh has the highest rate of graduate unemployment in South Asia—47%. That means 47 out of every 100 university graduates are unemployed.
 
Everyone would agree: the unemployment of an educated person cannot be equated with that of an uneducated one. The investment made by the state, family, and society is wasted if it produces no return.
 
According to newspapers, 2.2 million people enter the labor market every year. But only 700,000 find jobs. The remaining 1.5 million become a burden on the nation. It is important that every citizen is educated—but more important is the proper utilization of that educated population.
If we cannot provide employment to the millions entering the workforce each year, not only does social unrest increase, but crime rates also spiral out of control.
 
According to a July 1, 2012 report in Amar Desh, Mohammad Ibrahim, a researcher from the Bangladesh Economic Association, stated that due to our flawed education system, the number of educated unemployed is rising every day.
The outdated system produces clerks, not skilled manpower. Another researcher, Mohammad Abdullahil Baki Billah, observed that as education rates increase, so does unemployment. The higher pass rates have only increased joblessness.
 
The research identifies the main cause of educated unemployment as the existing general education system. Every year, 400,000 students pass the postgraduate exams, most of whom hope for a job and remain unemployed for 6–7 years.
They fail to develop specialized skills and often end up working abroad under people who have only passed high school. After finishing their general education, they are given no guidance about what kind of jobs they might be fit for. The lack of job counseling in institutions means students are unaware of their actual capabilities.
 
This educated middle class has been a headache for the nation since British rule. In the 19th century, the introduction of English education created this class. Describing the mindset of this group, Promothnath Bishi wrote in 1948:
"A middle class quickly formed in Bengal. This class was both the achievement and the curse of British rule—its rise and its downfall. The British ruled with the help of this clerk-based middle class, but eventually, this very class, disillusioned with colonialism, pulled the first brick from the imperial throne. Most Bengali revolutionaries were from this middle class."
Now, the situation has changed. The middle class has lost its respect and influence. With the expansion of industrial machinery, their relevance is dwindling. This middle class remains a special problem in Bengal—millions of educated, capable, yet now helpless and frustrated individuals.
 
They once helped establish colonial rule, illuminated Bengali culture, and rebelled against imperialism. Now they are exhausted and almost incapable of earning a living—like demobilized soldiers, wandering helplessly. Authorities see them as unwanted, the masses see them as excess, and they see themselves as cursed. If a proper solution for this middle class is not found, they will not allow peace in society, and their unrest may once again shake the foundations of governance.
Promothnath Bishi continued:
"Today’s predicament has its roots in the schools of Hare and the classrooms of Hindu College. Back then, knowing English meant guaranteed employment. A British officer would personally call for you. Someone would say ‘Let me ask my mother,’ another would say ‘I’ll do it if it’s like my father’s job,’ and some would say their mothers won’t let them go to a land beyond the Ganges.
 
Then, the employers chased the job-seekers. Today, even if one swallows the English Channel, not even a security guard will look your way. The solution of that era has become the crisis of today."
The term “kerani” (clerk) symbolizes mediocrity, subservience, and lack of creativity. In the British era, without photocopiers, clerks used to copy documents by hand—thus the English term “writer” became associated with them. The secretariat in Kolkata is still called the Writers’ Building. There’s an old story about a clerk who was copying a document when he came across a dead fly stuck to a word, making it illegible.
 
He spent three days trying to kill a similar fly, and finally pasted it in the same spot to make a perfect copy—hence the Bengali proverb “machhi mara kerani” (the fly-killing clerk), meaning someone doing useless work. This was cited in an article by Krishanu Bhattacharya.
Even surveys were done on clerks during the British era! The famous civil servant, journalist, writer, and British advisor William Hunter conducted such a study. In 1870, Bengal had 10,247 clerks, which grew to 16,315 by 1881, and to 18,950 after another decade. This ever-growing number likely gave rise to the stereotype of the "clerk mentality" among Bengalis.
 
In 1886, Hunter became Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University and president of the Education Commission. His most famous book “The Indian Musalmans” was dedicated to Mr. Hudson, who once gifted 29 severed heads of children from the Mughal palace to the old emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Let’s return to the main point. The term kerani to us symbolizes petty insignificance. A kerani means subordinate, dependent, unthinking. He has no right to opinions or awareness. He merely obeys. Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani used to call the American ambassador “America’s kerani” and refused to sit in talks with him.
 
He once said: “What’s there to discuss with a kerani?” When invited to a meeting, he declined, saying clerks of foreign powers have no say in the matters of a sovereign nation—a bold declaration from a patriotic, free-spirited leader.
But today’s national leaders have become so spineless that they endlessly flatter British and American ambassadors. Before elections, political leaders present their blueprints for governance not to the people, but first to these foreign ambassadors (Manabzamin, 13/08/13), because they believe their fate lies in the hands of Western diplomats.
Images Related to this Post
Tags:

Leave a Comment

Related Post

Search

Popular Post

The effaced part of the Messenger's Life
Ebadat Worship
Dajjal, the Anti-Christ has appeared!!
Aqidah
The Tabook
Islam, its True Meaning
The call of true Islam
Which way to Jannah?

Recent Post

Unemployment: A Product of the Education System

 Jul 27

Excessiveness in Religion Carried Out with Great Enthusiasm

 Jul 27

Extremist Attacks on Hezbut Tawheed: A 30-Year Struggle Against Religious Fanaticism

 Jul 27

Why Most Women Avoid the Pursuit of Knowledge – A Harsh Reality

 Jul 27

How Much Do We Truly Obey Allah’s Commands? A Brutal Reality Check

 Jul 27

Why Does Allah Allow Injustice? An Answer to Atheists

 Jul 27

The Possibility of Communal Harmony: One Nation Under One Creator

 Jul 27

Hezbut Tawheed in Defense of Workers' Rights

 Jul 27

Tags

Unemployment In Bangladesh Education System Failure Educated Unemployment Jobless Graduates British Education Legacy Youth Crisis Hezbut Tawheed Views Bids Report Ssc To Masters Job Race Middle Class Dilemma Kerani Mentality Excessiveness In Religion Religious Distortion Islamic Unity Overinterpretation Of Islam Hezbut_Tawheed Misguided Enthusiasm Warnings Of The Prophet True Islam Spiritual Clarity Abandoning The Mission Chormonai Pir Desherpotro Religious Extremism Islamic Reform Persecution In Bangladesh Religious Violence Jamaat-E-Islami Attacks Hefazat-E-Islam Islamic Truth Movement Women And Knowledge Islamic Feminism Women’s Rights In Islam Gender Roles Social Awareness Muslim Women Female Empowerment Islamic History Qur’anic Guidelines Obeying Allah’s Commands Islamic Governance Islam And Suffering Workers' Rights In Islam Labor Justice May Day Islam Islamic Society Model Chashirhat Development Imam Hossain Mohammad Selim Islamic Economy Islamic Brotherhood Fair Wages Islamic Military Strategy Tawheed-Based State National Security Qur’anic Warfare Mujahideen Peacekeeping Modern Islamic Army Military Training Ummah Defense Sharia Governance Southasia Extremism Bangladesh India Pakistan Myanmar Jihad Islamophobia Radicalism Resistance Conflict War Terrorism Proxywar Bjp Hasina Ghazwa Kashmir Rohingya Arsa Militancy Ideology Unity Awareness Injustice Arms Geopolitics Zionism Gaza Hypocrisy Taliban Alqaeda Afghanistan Syria Iraq America China Russia Media Violence Oppression Nationalism Muslim Islam Justice Youth Leadership Sovereignty Hezbuttawheed Mosque Governance Society Administration Education Military Economy Women Culture Law Quran Hadith Prayer Madinah Baytalmal Amir Discipline Khutba Transparency Spirituality Training Morality Ummah Prophet Sharia Community Peace Development Security National Khutbah Sabr Zakat Sufism Equality Mosquesystem Participation Aqiqah Accountability Tradition Modernity Ummati Muhammad Unity In Islam Sunnah Prophet Muhammad Islamic Teachings Muslim World Deen Of Islam Security Crisis National Unity Political Unrest Military Vulnerabilities Strength Solidarity Disunity Muslim Nations Global Peace Women's Rights Rufaidah Panni Eid Congregation Islamic Women Empowerment Social Justice Equality In Islam Momen Kafir Mushrik Tawheed Allah's Laws Faith In Islam Shirk Belief In Allah True Believers Kalimah Shariah Islamic System Justice And Peace Political Parties Multiparty Democracy Political Factionalism Islamic Political System Democracy Vs Islam Secularism Political Ideologies Islamic Law Political Vision Governance Without Parties Political Stability Islamic State Shura System Islamic Perspective Women’s Reform Commission Family Law Inheritance Law Sex Workers Labor Recognition Shariah Law Gender Equality Religious Opposition Feminist Movement Sex Work Human Rights Political Debat Arab Society Islamic Economic Justice Military Transformation Education In Islam Judicial Independence Accountability In Islam Caliph Umar Islam And Democracy Societal Transformation Governance Systems Surah Yaseen Islamic Guidance Religious Work Misguidance Imam Role Religious Commercialization Truth And Falsehood Religion And Society Quranic Teachings Ethical Leadership Justice In Islam Spiritual Struggle Religious Scholars Religious Corruption Quranic Verses Islamic Scholars Prophet Muhammad (S.a.w) Muslim Ummah Military Nation Of Islam Sahabah Lost Legacy Islamic Revival Ummah Of Muhammad Jehad Qetal Islam And Violence Islamic Leadership State Vs Individual Struggle Allah's Help Islamic Reflection Divine Support Muslim World Crisis Quran Teachings Islamic Awakening Qurbani Bangladesh Politics Eid Ul Adha Islamic Sacrifice Bangladesh Crisis Global Conspiracy Sacrifice Labour Rights Employment Crisis Bangladesh Economy Wage Gap Inflation Unemployment Education Reform Job Creation Income Inequality Post-Pandemic Economy Eid-Ul-Azha 2025 Bangladesh Eid Congregation Islamic Movement Eid Prayer 2025 Muslim Unity Women's Participation Peace & Justice Bangladesh Religious Events Eid-Ul-Azha Message Khilafah Global Oppression Islamic Festivals Quranic Guidance Spiritual Sacrifice Ibrahim's Sacrifice Eid Mubarak Peace Through Tawheed Women's Reform Debate Bangladesh Women's Rights Hezbut Tawheed Position Islamic View On Women's Rights Legal Reforms Bangladesh Sex Workers Debate Family Law Reform Inheritance Rights Sharia Law Bangladesh Women's Equality Western Influence Religious Groups Debate Gender Equality Islam Islamic Social Solutions Women's Dignity In Islam Islamic Solutions Beyond Politics Labor Rights Class Struggle Economic Solutions May Day Analysis Economic Justice Divine Accountability Global Economic Crisis Capitalism Vs Islam Socialism Vs Islam Bangladesh Violence Savar Attack Ishwardi Attack Religious Fanaticism Political Manipulation Islamic Extremism Extremist Violence Government Response Democratic Threats Islamic Teachings Misuse Radical Ideology Communal Conflict Radical Groups In Bangladesh Terrorism In Bangladesh Islamic Rights Mosque Access Eid Prayer Islamic Social Justice Muslim Women Empowerment Prophet Muhammad Teachings Women In Mosques Women Rights In Islam Gender Equality In Islam Masjid An-Nabawi Women's Role In Islam Misconceptions About Women Women Participation In Mosque Eid Khutbah 2025 Islamic Sermon Hossain Mohammad Selim Bangladesh Eid Qurbani Meaning Women In Islam Rufaydah Panni Islamic Congregation Female Participation In Eid Chashirhat Eid Palestine Solidarity Eid Prayer Bangladesh Women In Eid Kushtia Rally Imam Hossain Mohammad Salim Gaza Crisis Muslim Persecution Bangladesh News Peace Movement Humanity Divine Law Social Reform Religious Harmony Truth Call To Action Palestine Dajjal Islamic Struggle Mohammad Bayazid Khan Panni Genocide Oic Protest National Press Club Rangpur Attack Religious Reform Karwan Bazar Protest Terrorist Attack Law And Order Failure Social Transformation Emamht Ht_In_Brief Pabnaattack Justiceforvictims Humanchain Politicalviolence Legalreform Endimpunity Bangladeshjustice Hezbuttawheedleaders Demandjustice Pabnapressconference Policeinaction Proposedgovernancesystem Islamicstatesystem Allahslaw Economicreform Educationreform Capitalismcritique Dhakaevent Purposeofcreation Humancreation Khalifah Allahsplan Divineguidance Adamsstory Islamicteachings Peaceandjustice Sovereigntyofallah Lailahaillallah Islamiccreed Aqidah Islamicfaith Iman Deen Peaceinislam Purposeofislam Beliefsystem Faithandworship Why Escalate Mohammad Bayazeed Khan Panni Hossain Mohammad Salim Religious Extremist Interfaith Situation Ultimatum Threats Extremist Attack Attack Movement Barakat Hossain Osama United Kingdom Conservative Party Donald Trump Secular Leadership Fanatical Populace Fanatical Populace Religion Extensive Damage Catastrophic Flooding High School Urgent Help Needed Devastated Allah Modus Operandi Messenger Believer Messenger Of Allah People Human Jame Mosque Shahidi Jame Mosque A Cornerstone Cornerstone A Just Society The Establishment Establishment History Messenger Muhammad Simple And Straightforward Who Made The Simple Complex Way Of Life Jannah Way To Jannah Civilization Religious Figures Survive Politics Worship Establish Goals And Objectives System Of Life Money Tolerance Madness Mo'men Today’s Educated Needs Corruption British Government Democracy Communism Socialism Political Secular Education Responsible The Reign Hindu Terrifying Slavery Jewish Conspiracy The Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion Politician Give And Take Education System European Population Mentality Slave Preface Children The Quran The Miracle Creator The Creator Creation Of Man The Creation Of Man Premise First Words Aqida The Programme The Messenger Mankind Actual Concept Of Islam Crossroads Mojeza The Call Panni The Author Qur'an Process The Process A Person Tabook The Special Three Special The Tabook The Ahzab Ahzab Khandak The Uhud Uhud The Badr Badr Ebadat Ma'bud Vicegerent Worshipper Aqaed The Reasons Reasons Reason Adam Eblis Khalifa Angels Adam And Eve Adam And Hawa

Archives