Good governance leads itself to many forms but one interpretation. It is a system and style of governance that seeks to increase human welfare and uphold the laws of the country. The term itself has come into vogue now and has become somewhat cliched. Yet its basic import is that those who govern should do so with an accountability and responsibility that are the hallmarks of any democratic system.

This is sorely lacking (and has been lacking!) in Bangladesh. Public representatives have remained non-responsive to people's demands. Once elected the concepts of exercise of power, accountability and responsibility take a back seat for these representatives. The enforcement of accountability has remained poor as the institutions required to carry out this task remain under government control, underdeveloped or non-existent. Under such conditions the process of bringing in "Good Governance" is caught in a vicious circle. The only way to ensure such governance seems to be an external stimulus in some form (Donor countries, IFIs etc.). ducation has been worst affected by this sorry state of affairs. Education, be it at the primary or university levels, has been politicised in some form or the other. In higher institutions of learning politics is indulged in by both teachers and students. A case in point is the premier seat of learning -Dhaka University. Political parties have active student wings that operate on campus and often indulge in disruptive activities. Faculty is divided in coloured 'panels' that create divisions within them. Most of the activities that harm the academic atmosphere usually go unpunished, triggering further protests and disruption. This occurs due to the imbalance between power and responsibility that prevails in a highly politicised atmosphere.

DU reflects the functioning of most institutions of learning in Bangladesh. This scourge of party politics unfortunately corrupts education, which would have increased the nation's capacity to do better.

Student leaders often go on to become national leaders and continue the same irresponsible practices that they indulged in during their student life. These matters divert attention from more important issues such as education reform. Such reform is vital and necessary to ensure the future of the country. The retarded and disrupted education received by many deprives the nation of enlightened human resources that could have become the harbingers of innovative new ideas to put into practice the concept of 'Good Governance'.

Good Governance, if practised in educational institutions, will ultimately be reflected in the national arena as well.