Bangladesh ranks last in South Asia for trained teachers: UNESCO

Bangladesh ranks last among South Asian countries in the proportion of teachers with minimum qualifications, according to the latest 'World Education Statistics' report published by UNESCO. Nearly half of secondary level teachers lack the professional training or prescribed institutional qualifications required to teach at their respective levels, the report reveals.

UNESCO assessed teacher competency based on two criteria: whether teachers have received the necessary training to teach at their level, and whether their highest educational qualification is appropriate for that level. The analysis shows that Bangladesh's average rate of teachers with minimum qualifications at the secondary level is only 55 per cent.

Within this, the rate of qualified teachers at the lower secondary level is 54.7 per cent, while at the higher secondary level it is 55.2 per cent, indicating a significant shortage of trained teachers at both levels.

Among the seven South Asian countries compared, the Maldives ranks highest in this indicator, with 98.5 per cent of secondary teachers having minimum qualifications. Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal are also in more favourable positions than Bangladesh.

The report uses 2024 data for Bangladesh, India and Pakistan; 2025 data for Nepal; 2023 data for Sri Lanka and Bhutan; and 2022 data for the Maldives. While other South Asian nations are focusing on increasing skilled manpower to ensure quality education, Bangladesh's position raises serious questions about the quality of its secondary education.