100th Issue of Thinking Aloud: Volume IX, Issue 4: September 1, 2022

It is our great pleasure to announce that September 2022 marks the 100th issue of Thinking Aloud. Since 1 June 2014, SANEM has been bringing out this monthly publication on the first day of each month or in some cases even before that. Thinking Aloud has been an integral part of SANEM’s journey as it plays a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and facilitating dialogues—to both of which SANEM have longstanding commitments. Over the course of the last eight years, Thinking Aloud has been encasing a running commentary on contemporaneous economic issues and analysis of the burning macro and microeconomic questions related to the Bangladesh and global economy. It has also been presenting brief news on SANEM’s events including seminars, conferences, webinars and dialogues. Along with regular contributions from SANEM’s staff, Thinking Aloud has hosted guest authors including eminent economists, experts and development practitioners—mobilizing a unique blend of expertise. On the special occasion of the publication of the 100th issue of Thinking Aloud, we would like to thank everyone involved in its publication process as well as our readers who have lent us relentless support and trust. SANEM is pledged to continue the gracious journey of Thinking Aloud and serve our reader base with objective, evidence-driven analysis.

The first page article titled “Need for a major breakthrough in education in Bangladesh” discusses the role of education in human capital development. The article further discusses the policy paralysis and anti-reform coalition in the education sector. In conclusion, it points out the lessons that Bangladesh can learn from Vietnam in setting the education policy. The second page article titled “Future of Bangladesh’s Social Protection: Leaving No One Out”, explores the National Social Security Strategy adopted by the Government of Bangladesh in 2015. Discussing the life cycle-based approach of the policy, the article analyses the policy gaps including exclusion errors and the gaps between budgetary allocation and needs by life cycle-based groups. Analysing the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic created in relation to social protection, the article calls for faster implementation of the NSSS and adopting the approach of “leaving no one out”. The third page article titled “The Post COVID Recovery and Beyond: The Challenges of Labor Market and the Way Forward”, explains the multifaceted challenges arising in the context of post COVID recovery, macro stability and global economic unrest. The article puts special emphasis on utilizing the current window of demographic dividend. Shedding light on the low female labor force participation rate, the article recommends robust action on child marriage, safety and security in the public sphere, and interventions specific to gender norms. The fourth page presents news on SANEM events in August 2022.