Bangladesh faces literacy challenges and shifts in economic development models

Recent data from the 2025 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF, reveals that nearly half of children aged seven to 14 in Bangladesh fail to meet foundational reading and comprehension benchmarks. While literacy figures on paper show marginal increases, education experts warn of a widening gap between reported literacy and actual learning outcomes. For students in Class V, approximately two in five fail to meet the criteria, a decline from previous years.

In response to economic shifts, discussions have emerged regarding how Bangladesh can adapt its development model to the artificial intelligence economy. Observers suggest moving away from individualistic training and grants toward collective models similar to the ÓKÓBÌ initiative in Imo State, Nigeria. The ÓKÓBÌ program, known as the One Kindred One Business Initiative, encourages extended families or student societies to register and own businesses collectively. This approach aims to build institutional strength and shared skill pools rather than relying on isolated freelancers.