ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on three issues in language and education in Bangladesh: the role of Bengali in the ideology of Bengali nationalism; the forces that contribute to the spread and entrenchment of English among the elite, despite the symbolic importance of Bengali; and language in the current educational system. It includes a historical analysis of the Bengali Language Movement, which was closely linked with the movement for the independence of Bangladesh; discussion of language provisions in the constitution of Bangladesh; and analysis of the tension between promotion of mother-tongue education in Bengali and English-medium education. The United Front adopted a 21-point program that included two important language policy goals: making Bengali a coequal official language with Urdu and guaranteeing the right to Bengali medium of instruction in education. Although the conflict between Bengali and Urdu was central to the growing conflict between West and East Pakistan, the role of English also presented crucial language policy issues.
