Community Based Education Program

Despite the notable achievements in increasing access to education and the success in achieving gender parity at primary and secondary school levels, it is estimated that about 1.3 million primary school-age children still have no access to education. The rate of student school drop-out from formal schools is also high. The dropout rate is likely to increase even more, if the pandemic continues for a longer period. It is an ongoing challenge to keep poor children in school. Unfortunately, children are more likely to be pushed to generate income rather than education if the schools remain closed. Therefore, it is imperative for CSS to address this ongoing problem and find a viable solution to promote education in rural areas of Bangladesh.

The Community Based Education Program (CBEP) is one of the segments of CSS’ education sector that supports the organizations holistic approach to poverty alleviation and the empowerment of the poor. The overall goal of this approach is to ensure the sustainable and comprehensive growth of poor children, and ultimately contribute to the enhanced livelihood of their families as well as their communities. This unique approach allows children to stay with their families within their communities; thereby providing youngsters the ability to develop appropriate community and family values. The program also focuses on educating parents to the importance of their roles and responsibilities in the children’s overall progress. The program especially focuses on ensuring children’s enrollment in local schools. Children in the program are provided with books, educational materials, nutritional support (rice, lentils, cooking oil), clothing and medical care to help them thrive as they continue their education, and thereby avoiding school dropouts. Supervised by qualified teachers, tuition centers are established to provide coaching during after school hours. Since moral and spiritual education is an essential part of a child’s overall growth, every child is linked with her/his respective religious institution and takes part in various religious and community activities. Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are formed among parents, social elites and religious clerics to monitor the quality of education and children’s academic performance.