Non-formal Education Project

OBAT desires to educate 900 more women and children each, living in destitute conditions in the camps of Syedpur through its proposed three year non-formal education project. During the three years of the project, these 900 children will be prepared to enter the mainstream education system. The women will acquire basic math, accounting and banking skills essential for their development. This will train them to engage in businesses of their own and hence work toward their financial betterment.

Project’s Background and Objectives

This project’s beneficiaries are women between the ages of 25-55 and children who are six years and older, living in the camps in Syedpur. These women and children have been living in the camps for years. Most of the children were born here and have been living in abject poverty and despicable living conditions. Contrary to other people, the camp residents have no access to outside resources because they are isolated from the mainstream society. The average enrollment of children in primary schools in Bangladesh is over 80%; in the camps, it is around 10%. The literacy rate for women is 49% in Bangladesh and in the camps it is around 5%.  Based on a survey and through focus group discussions, it was found that there were no primary schools nearby and no other organizations were running education programs here.

Non-formal education for six years old and above children for grades I, II & III for a 3 year project period will provide them an opportunity to join the mainstream primary education system after they have completed grade III level of education in the proposed CLC’s (Camp Learning Centers).  Adult literacy for the women is a timely and appropriate step which will provide them with basic knowledge in math and accounting; opening and operating bank accounts; and understanding of savings and loans etcetera. The adult literacy activities also include education in primary health care (PHC) service delivery system; personal hygiene practices and sanitation; human and child rights; child birth registration; dangers of drug use; HIV / AIDS; safe child birth practices; and moral education. At present, the women only have the ability to sign their loan applications.

Nine hundred women will be provided adult literacy in 10 camps. Each batch or class will consist of thirty women. Duration of each class will be 2 hours. Classes will be held in the afternoon when women of the camps are relatively free of house work.

Institutional Framework for Implementation

• • Existing Project Manager of Syedpur microfinance project for poor Women of Syedpur Camps will supervise the overall project activities.
  • 10 female teachers will be recruited from among the local community. Both non-formal education for children and literacy program for women will be held in one venue in each camp.
  • The overall project activities will be overseen by the Project Coordinator from OBAT Helpers/ISDCM headquarters-based in Dhaka.

Project Output

• • At the end of 3 years of the project period, 900 deprived children will complete their education up to grade III and they will be eligible for admission in the mainstream primary education system.
  • At the end of 3 years, 900 women of the camps will be literate and will acquire basic skills which will enable them to improve their quality of life and to engage in their own businesses.

Methodology

• • BRAC non-formal education methodology will be followed.
  • Regular monitoring of class performance will be carried out and proper records of progress will be maintained.
  • Performance of teachers and the students will be recorded. If necessary, for better performance of both the teachers and students, regular counseling will be carried out.
  • Proper and regular supervision will be carried out so that at the end of the year all of the children can qualify for promotion to the next grade. In case some of them fail, they will stay with the 1st batch and proper attention and care will be given so that next time all of them pass and get promoted to the higher grade. After passing grade II, they will be admitted to grade III. When all of them have successfully completed grade III level, they will be joining the mainstream primary education system.