Bangladesh

Allocation: US$15 million

Years: 2021-2022

Grant agent: World Bank

Key document:

• Application and program document
• Ministry of Education’s COVID-19 response plan

The US$15 million grant supports:

• remote learning content through the radio, TV, mobile and online broadcasting
• learning packages for children from marginalized groups, poor families or with disabilities
• guidance for parents and a toll-free hotline with teachers to support remote learning from home
• public awareness campaigns to promote hygiene and COVID-19 related safety practices, and to encourage students to stay in school
• preparing for school reopening by developing health and safety protocols and providing guidance to local administrations on gradual and staggered reopening of schools
• re-enrollment campaigns targeted at students most at risk of dropping out
• training and tools for teachers to support the mental health of students
• learning assessments to inform remedial programs that mitigate losses in learning.

In late March 2020, the UNICEF office in Bangladesh received a GPE grant of US$140,000 to support the Ministry of Education. The grant was used to:

• kick off a discussion on the remote learning platform
• promote COVID-19 education content through social media
• develop an online platform for teachers.

Bangladesh’s education system caters to about 40 million students. Learning is offered through both formal and non-formal channels.

The formal education system consists of pre-primary (for 5-year-olds), primary (grades 1-5), secondary (grades 6-12), technical-vocational education and training, and tertiary education. Currently, primary education up to grade 5 is free and compulsory.

Two ministries share management responsibilities for the education system:

1. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education for primary education (grades 1–5)
2. The Ministry of Education for secondary education (grades 6–12), technical and vocational education and training, higher education, madrasahs and other religious schools.

The 2020 Education sector analysis reports that the country has achieved near-universal primary education enrollment with gender parity. The net enrollment rate was 98% in 2018.

Since the influx of refugees from Myanmar, the government has led the humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar. The district historically had some of the lowest primary education indicators in the country. Initially, school attendance rates fell, especially for girls, and dropout rates increased across the district.

But by 2018, enrollment had significantly improved in the district, to a net enrollment rate of 94.6% compared to the national average 98%. However, only 60% of children and youth aged 12 to 24 reported having completed primary school in Teknaf and 75% in Ukhiya.

Due to government restrictions and policy directives, Rohingya children are only allowed informal education, and it must adhere to the Guideline for Informal Education Program.

Of all Rohingya refugees, 51% are children under the age of 18. Despite significant progress over the last two years, more than 30% of Rohingya children and youth aged 3 to 24 still require access to education. 83% of adolescents aged 15 to 18 lack access to educational or skills development activities.

The Joint Response Plan, launched in March 2020, and developed under the leadership of the government, with the humanitarian community closely engaged, found that the main factors preventing children and youth from fully accessing educational opportunities are socio-cultural barriers, early marriage and the need to provide support at home.