“The ‘e!quality’ initiative aims to empower communities with evidence-informed policies and promote social accountability towards building a resilient education system in Bangladesh.”
IID shared key findings from its ‘e!quality’ initiative at the KIX Bangladesh National Uptake Forum 2024. Syeed Ahamed, CEO of IID, presented the findings in a presentation titled ‘IID e!quality: A Multilevel Approach for Promoting Inclusive Education in Bangladesh,’ as part of a thematic panel on Equity and Inclusion.
The presentation provided a snapshot of the ‘e!quality’ initiative, which aims to empower CSOs and CBOs to create a fair, resilient, and forward-looking education system in Bangladesh, with the support of Global Partnership for Education- Education Out Loud (GPE EOL). Mr. Ahamed highlighted how the initiative gathers actionable data at community, local, and national levels through village-level pilot studies, district-wide assessments of learning loss, and national surveys to gauge the resilience of the education system. Key findings pointed out issues such as affordability being a major dropout cause and limited internet access for online learning. The presentation also detailed how this evidence was shared with policymakers at town hall meetings, policy conclaves, and policy breakfasts, leading to documented commitments. Additionally, Mr. Ahamed emphasized how the initiative focuses on building youth capabilities through policy camps, hackathons, and national campaigns, aiming to engage citizens and stakeholders in data-driven advocacy to promote an inclusive and democratic society.
Several other notable presentations were featured alongside IID’s ‘e!quality’ initiative in the same panel session. The University of Dhaka examined the impact of gender and inclusive pedagogies on student participation and learning outcomes during and after the pandemic. UNICEF Bangladesh discussed the use of data to improve education equity and inclusion. The South Asian Institute for Social Transformation (SAIST) highlighted the role of geospatial data in ensuring equitable access to education. The Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) addressed strategies to mitigate challenges faced by out-of-school children in Bangladesh. Lastly, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) focused on access, quality, and continuity of education for older adolescent boys and girls in refugee and host communities in Cox’s Bazar. The thematic panel session was chaired by Dr. Tariq Ahsan, Lead Consultant, National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), with Dr. Shafiul Azam, Director (Planning), Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, present as the discussant.
The forum was graced by the Honorable Education Minister of Bangladesh, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, as the Chief Guest and was chaired by Professor A.S.M. Maksud Kamal, Honourable Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka. Key stakeholders in the education sector, including representatives from GPE, KIX EMAP Hub, IDRC, academicians, education practitioners, CSO representatives, and researchers from various regions, attended the event, which took place on June 10-11, 2024, at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, University of Dhaka.
