School Education in Bangladesh: Post-Pandemic Resilience and Sustainability

Abstract

CAMPE is happy to announce the publication of its 21st Education Watch Report titled “School Education in Bangladesh: Post-Pandemic Resilience and Sustainability”. This 2023 Study has diligently examined the consequences of the prolonged closure of schools in the country during the pandemic. It has highlighted the risks faced by children, such as permanent disengagement from education, challenges like child marriage and child labour, learning difficulties, dropouts, resilience issues and escalating financial hardships due to increased private/out of pocket expenses for education.

Education Watch 2023 study has employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to track primary and secondary students for examining their current situation. It has also investigated the varied types of personal expenditures for primary and secondary education. Additionally, the report has tried to assess plans and initiatives by Government for recovery and remedial measures and advancements made in adopting a ‘blended’ approach. The study has also scrutinized teacher-student dynamic, exploring challenges and adjustments in the teaching and learning processes.

These analyses collectively aim to provide valuable insights into the educational landscape, facilitating informed decision-making and effective interventions for policymakers. Based on key findings, this research has produced a set of recommendations emphasizing the need for bringing back dropouts and excluded students, addressing post-pandemic learning challenges, providing support and incentives for teachers, improving classroom learning management and teachers’ autonomy, supporting families for mitigating their economic burden, promoting ICT-based learning and a blended approach, and enabling policies and actions at the national level.