Bangladesh has one of the world’s largest education systems, catering to more than 40.34 million students. The system is complex, comprising primary, secondary, madrasah, higher education, and technical and vocational education and training, as well as involving a large number of government and non-government agencies. Significant progress in access to education with gender parity and an improving literacy rate has been realised, however, major challenges remain in regards to ensuring quality and equity in education, building an inclusive system, curriculum, teaching-learning processes, assessment and other supportive environments and investment in education. 

This project, led by Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), is designed to be context sensitive, and adequately address the issues of the Bangladeshi education system. The project will work to enhance the capacities of CAMPE to effectively engage civil society in strengthening its abilities in education advocacy, to ensure support for the most marginalised, as well as gender responsive education planning processes. This shall help CAMPE to achieve inclusive education system reforms undertaken by the government, together with making state functionaries more accountable to foster the progress for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 and ensuring no learner is left behind. 

The project will contribute to generate evidence, provide alternative analysis and counter narratives, as well as oversee effective engagement with the education sector plan, Local Education Groups, policymakers and legislators, to influence decision making and ensure an inclusive education policy environment. The participation of civil society groups is vital to prevent an ‘elite capture’ of policy spaces and to ensure that there is healthy debate and deliberation, and inclusive civic spaces even of those traditionally deficient in institutional power. 

Finally, the project aims to develop good governance and a learning friendly environment through strengthening community engagement. This will lead to widening the young generation’s knowledge, skills and abilities in exploring technology and skills of critical thinking, and to develop a strong community ownership. Altogether, this shall ensure education and employment opportunities for marginalised girls and women. 

The project is building on the efforts made during the previous project phase, implemented between April 2022 – December 2023. CAMPE will draw on the already established relations and lessons learned. 

By the end of the implementation, the project is expected to have contributed to: 

• CAMPE as the national education coalition has become more inclusive, particularly for marginalised communities and groups. 

• Enhanced capacities of CAMPE to engage in education policy dialogues, including in GPE’s partnership compact processes. 

• Improved inclusive and gender responsive education policies through CSO participation and strategic influence in planning, implementation, and monitoring of education policies, plans, and programmes. 

• Strengthened learning collaboration and knowledge sharing for institutional development of civil society organisations, particularly in relation to the promotion of social accountability, inclusion and gender equality. 

• Strengthened monitoring mechanisms to improve quality, effectiveness, and gender transformative education planning and policy development. 

A previous phase of the project was implemented between April 2022 – December 2023. The current project is part of the EOL extension phase of 2024-2026. Read more about the previous phase of the project here.