Teachers’ and students’ perceptions of online education in Bangladesh: challenges and solutions
Published in Behavioural Sciences & Psychology, Education, and Arts & Humanities
Article overview
As online education becomes a key part of higher education worldwide, countries like Bangladesh still face major challenges—such as weak internet access, limited teacher training, and concerns about fair assessments. This carefully designed mixed-methods study, based on data from 130 participants in both urban and semi-urban universities, explores these issues in depth.
Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Digital Equity Framework, and Constructivist Learning Theory, the study identifies three main problems: poor digital access (especially in rural areas), low teacher confidence with online teaching, and unreliable online exams. Over 70% of rural students struggle with internet connectivity, and many teachers feel unprepared to teach online.
To solve these challenges, the study offers practical and well-researched solutions: set up hybrid learning centers in low-connectivity areas, provide proper digital training for teachers, and use blended assessments that include projects and oral tests. These ideas can help improve both university practices and national education policies.
All in all, this study supports a more inclusive and lasting model for online education in Bangladesh and offers valuable guidance for other developing countries facing similar issues.
The Journey Behind the Publication
The successful publication of this article marks the culmination of a long, emotional, and deeply personal journey—one shaped by unwavering dedication, relentless perseverance, and countless silent battles. Behind this academic achievement lies a story that only Allah and I truly understand—a story woven with sleepless nights, heartfelt prayers, and sacrifices that often went unseen.
This research did not emerge effortlessly. It endured more than 20 rejections—each one a test of my resolve, each one leaving a mark, but never breaking the spirit to continue. There were moments of deep discouragement, of self-doubt, and of questioning whether the effort would ever be recognized. But every setback became a lesson, every delay a step closer to refinement.
Throughout this process, I sacrificed time with loved ones, moments of rest, and personal comfort, all to ensure that this study would one day contribute meaningfully to the field. I held on to hope, to faith, and to the belief that sincere effort is never in vain.
Today, as this article finally finds its rightful place in the academic world, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. This success is not just a publication—it is a testimony to resilience, to faith, and to the quiet strength it takes to keep moving forward when the path seems uncertain.
This remarkable journey, filled with struggle and solitude, has finally met its beautiful end—with success.
SM Samuel Karim is an Assistant Professor and researcher in Applied Linguistics, with a specialization in English Language Teaching and educational technology. He has been serving at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) since 2020. He obtained his BA in English (major in Language and Linguistics) from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), and his MA in English with a concentration in Applied Linguistics from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), which is ranked 134th globally and 22nd in Asia according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
He has been serving as a reviewer for the journal Educational Technology and Society (ET&S), affiliated with National Taiwan University, since November 2025. This high-impact, open-access journal is indexed in Scopus (Q1) and the Web of Science SSCI. In this role, he has reviewed a range of scholarly works, including research articles and book chapters. His research interests encompass artificial intelligence in education, discourse studies, syllabus design, and teacher education.
Research and Scholarly Contributions
He is an active researcher with multiple publications in reputable journals, newspapers and presented both national and international conferences. His scholarly work spans areas such as AI-driven learning, literary studies, applied linguistics, and research methodologies. His interdisciplinary perspective is further enriched by prior corporate experience, which enables him to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications. In his teaching, he effectively incorporates digital tools to foster dynamic and student-centered learning environments.
Ongoing Research Project
- Policing Manhood: Decolonizing Masculinity through Agbala Logic in Achebe and Contemporary South Asia (currently under review in a Scopus Q1-indexed journal).
Awards and Recognitions
- He was awarded First Place in the Islamic Competition Baitullar Chayay (2022), which included the opportunity to perform Umrah, funded by the As-Sunnah Foundation.
- He secured 4th place in Agent X, a national-level AI competition organized by NetCom Learning Bangladesh, for developing a high-quality chatbot, and received a mobile phone as an award, along with a Prompt Engineering certification from Microsoft (2025).
- He also received the Best Class Performance Award, achieving an A+ grade in the Advanced Computing course offered by Democracywatch.
He remains committed to continuous learning and academic collaboration, with a sustained focus on advancing research in language education and contributing to the intellectual development of students and the broader academic community.
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This study explores real challenges in online education in Bangladesh. How do these issues compare with your experience? Share your insights and let’s discuss ways to make digital learning more inclusive.