Let’s talk about what a Quota or Reservation System is!
Quota is a system in Jobs or Civil services that allows the minority or less privileged people to get into the core services of Government or Civil Services. It helps the government to create an equal distribution of people’s resources in all sectors.
Not only in Bangladesh, the the quota system exists in many countries for different causes and priorities.
In today’s post, we will list Quota or reservation systems available in different countries and the elaborated version of why it was implied.
The Purpose of the Quota System
Quota systems are designed to address historical inequalities and provide opportunities for disadvantaged groups. They aim to level the playing field by ensuring that these groups have access to certain opportunities.
How Does the Government Implement This Quota System?
Quotas are typically implemented in areas such as employment, education, and political representation. For example, a government might reserve a certain number of civil service positions for women or ethnic minorities.
Where in this World this Quota System Exist?
| Country | Type of Quota | Details |
|---|---|---|
| India | More than half of civil service posts were reserved for children of the 1971 war of independence fighters. | Reserved seats in educational institutions and government jobs for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). |
| Bangladesh | Freedom Fighters’ Quota | More than half of civil service posts were reserved for children of the 1971 war of independence fighters. |
| Rwanda | Gender Quotas | Constitutional requirement that 30% of parliamentary seats are reserved for women. |
| Norway | Corporate Board Quotas | Legislation requires 40% of board members in public limited companies to be women. |
| Kenya | Youth Quotas | Quotas to bolster the representation of youth in parliament. |
| Tunisia | Gender Parity Law | More than half of civil service posts were reserved for children of the 1971 war of independence fighters. |
| Brazil | Racial Quotas in Universities | Public universities reserve a percentage of seats for black, mixed-race, and indigenous students. |
| South Africa | Employment Equity Act | Promotes affirmative action to ensure fair representation of black people, women, and people with disabilities in the workplace. |
| Germany | Corporate Board Gender Quotas | Large companies are required to have at least 30% women on their supervisory boards. |
| Argentina | Gender Quotas in Politics | Electoral lists must include at least 30% female candidates. |
In Bangladesh – we mostly focus on the Freedom Fighters these days and there are huge uproar going on in Bangladesh due to this quota system.
Positive Things About Quota System
- More People Like You: Quota systems make sure that people who are usually left out get a chance to be part of important decisions. This means everyone’s voice is heard, not just a few.
- Equal Chances for Everyone: Quotas help everyone, no matter their background, have the same opportunities for things like school, jobs, and being part of the government.
- Feeling Stronger: With quotas, people who may have felt left out before can now like they have the power to lead and make a difference in their community.
- Changing What People Think: Quotas show that everyone is capable, no matter their differences. This helps break old ideas that some people are better than others just because of who they are.
- Being an Example: Quotas create heroes from different backgrounds. These heroes can inspire others to believe in themselves and work hard, showing that anyone can succeed.
- Getting Along Better: Quotas bring different kinds of people together, making everyone understand and respect each other more. This makes our society happier and more peaceful.
- New Ideas and Solutions: Quotas bring many different ideas to the table, which helps us come up with better solutions to problems because we have different points of view.
- Moving Closer to Fairness: Quotas help make things more fair by fixing past unfairness and giving everyone a fair chance to do well in life.
- Celebrating Differences: Quotas encourage having different kinds of people in all areas, which makes things more interesting and helps us learn from each other.
- Helping Those in Need: Quotas make sure that everyone, no matter their background, has a chance to do well and be part of society, showing that everyone deserves a fair shot at success.
Though, some positive things exist for Quota – still it has some disadvantages too.
Here are those –
Negative Thing About Quota or Reservation System
- Reverse Discrimination
- What Happens: Some people feel unfairly treated when others get special opportunities because of quotas.
- Undermining Meritocracy
- What it Means: Quotas can make some people think they won’t be chosen for jobs based on their skills, which can affect how well a company does.
- Stigmatization
- Feeling Left Out: Quotas can make people feel like they are judged unfairly and not recognized for their hard work.
- Reduced Incentive for Excellence
- Why It Matters: When certain jobs are set aside for specific groups, some may not try as hard since they know they have a higher chance of getting the job without working as much.
- Economic and Social Costs
- Money Matters: Running quota systems can cost a lot of money to make sure they are being followed and can take away resources from other important things.
- Possible Inefficiency
- Getting the Job Done: Quotas might not always pick the best people for a job, which can make it harder for companies or organizations to do well.
- Short-Term Fix
- Looking Ahead: Quotas can be a quick way to give opportunities, but they might not solve the deeper problems of inequality in the long run.
The present Government of Bangladesh is facing challenges right now and hope they will come up with a solution soon for the betterment of the country the students and the people!
