Role of Bangladesh National Museum in Public Education: A Study on Contributions, Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Museums possess both the scope and resources to play a pivotal role in the public education sector in a diverse manner. Museums serve as invaluable resources in the public education sector by providing immersive and tangible learning experiences in a non-formal setting. Many museums across the world are now adopting their role as educator very seriously. Bangladesh National Museum is no different in that aspect. The Department of Public Education of Bangladesh National Museum is responsible for organizing various educational events such as seminars, workshops, lectures, film shows, cultural programs, and competitions. The study explores various aspects of Bangladesh National Museum’s activities, including assessing the institution’s role as an educational institution and examining its social impact. This study adopts a comprehensive analytical approach, employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods. It delves into the reader-friendliness of the museum's library and publications, and evaluates the audio-visual and photography activities conformance to contemporary standards. The study also assesses the contribution of the guide service to knowledge acquisition and evaluates the adequacy of the display section in expressing aesthetics. Furthermore, the study also investigates whether the auditoriums within the museum meet established standards. Aligning with both the survey outcomes and insights from FGD and KII sessions, this paper outline various recommendations with the aim to develop and expand the scope of the Department of Public Education’s activities. However, the findings reveals that incorporating digital technology can enhance this educational role by offering dynamic and interactive tools such as virtual tours, virtual reality, and online resources.