Teacher-student ratio not ideal at many univs

Country’s 53 public and private universities do not have the ideal ratio between teachers and students imperative for imparting quality education to learners, says a UGC report.

According to the 48th Annual Report-2021 of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the teacher-student ratio is more than 1:20 at 17 public and 36 private universities.

Educationists, however, said the perfect teacher-student ratio at a higher educational institution should be 1:20 for imparting quality education.

The teacher-student ratio (TSR) is over 1:20 at 17 public universities. The universities are Rajshahi University (1:35), Islami University (1:40), Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (1:36), Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (1:29), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology university in Gopalganj (1:41), Barishal University (1:42), Pabna University of Science and Technology (1:31), Comilla University (1:24), Chittagong University (1:22), Jahangirnagar University (1:22), Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University (1:21), Noakhali Science and Technology University (1:21), Jagannath University (1:25), Begum Rokeya University (1:54), Bangladesh Textile University (1:22), and Rangamati Science and Technology University (1:21) and Sheikh Hasina University (1:21).

The UGC data shows that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University, Bangladesh has the lowest TSR (1:01) while Begum Rokeya University has the highest TSR (1:54).

Besides, the teacher-student ratio is over 1:20 at 36 private universities. The universities are North South University (1:36), International University of Scholars (1:47), NPI University of Bangladesh (1:38), Royal University of Dhaka (1:34), East West University (1:28), European University of Bangladesh (1:34), Varendra University (1:27), People’s University (1:28), Asian University Bangladesh (1:22), Dhaka International University (1:27), Manarat International university (1:24), Bangladesh University (1:23), Leading University (1:28), BJC Trust University (1:26), Southeast University (1:31), City University (1:26), Prime University (1:32), Northern University (1:22), Green University (1:21), Pundra University of Science and Technology (1:28), American International University, Bangladesh (1:21), World University Bangladesh (1:21), Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology (1:25), United International University (1:21), University of South Asia (1:26), Bangladesh University of Business Technology (1:26), Bangladesh Islami University (1:22), BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (1:27), First Capital University of Bangladesh (1:23), Britannia University (1:37), Port City International University (1:24), Fareast International University (1:24), Cox’s Bazar International University (1:22), German University Bangladesh (1:24), Northern University of Business and Technology (1:32), and Anwar Khan Modern University (1:25).

Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “The ideal teacher-student ratio is very important to ensure quality education at educational institutions.”

“I think the authorities of the educational institutions should give emphasis to keep the ideal teacher-student ratio at the universities for imparting quality higher education,” he told The Business Post.

The data showed that the average teacher-student ratio was 1:19 at public universities while 1:20 at private universities in 2021.

UGC in its report mentioned that ensuring the quality of higher education is not possible if the teacher-student ratio does not improve at the universities.

It also said the gap in TSR will widen at public universities if the teachers, who are enjoying education leave, are kept out of calculation.

The average ratio was 1:20 at private universities in 2021 and it was at satisfactory level. However, the teacher-student ratio was 1:47 at The International University of Scholars which is unacceptable, the report said.

The UGC data also showed that there were a total of 15,005 teachers against 289,645 students at 47 public universities in 2021, excluding National University, Open University and Islami Arabic University.

Besides, the number of teachers was 15,393 at 108 private universities in 2021 against 310,107 students in the country.

UGC’s former Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan said the teacher-student ratio is not ideal at many public universities as teachers are not willing to join some universities due to a lack of facilities.

Some universities are admitting a large number of students violating the rules of admission, so the teacher student ratio is not good at these universities, he added.

Prof Mannan also said the universities should admit students, considering the number of teachers and capacity to ensure quality education.