Bangladesh, Dhaka District; Shyampur and Keranigonj Upazila of Dhaka District
Juli 2021
Summary history of the Night School:
Although education is a universal right of children and its access is free as well as compulsory by the Bangladesh government up to the eighth grade, most working children are being deprived of their right to education. The majority of these children are illiterate and have either never been enrolled in school, or have dropped out of the formal education system due to
1) lack of provision from the employer for education,
2) lack of time beyond the working period for school or study activities and
3) the inability to bear indirect costs of education, that are too expensive fort he poorest.
Lack of education is a primary factor in failing to break out of the poverty cycle.
The project is a unique model and addresses school dropouts and out-of-school children to give them an alternative opportunity to study during the evening classes.
The project also aims to eliminate school-related violence including gender-based violence, to prevent discrimination and to support schools to promote healthy lifestyles, human rights, social justice. The community mobilization strategy of the project is awareness creation through door-to-door house visits, sensitization programs, counselling and by highlighting positive role models. Furthermore, the YOU Foundation onsite partner team-Bangladesh has given special attention to girls’ enrolments of at least 60%.
To create an opportunity for disadvantaged children, YOU Foundation established this Night School in 2012 as a pilot project in the old Dhaka area. Since then the Night School has been operating and has been giving access to 300 street and working children to the formal primary education system every year.
During the reporting period (February 01, 2021, to June 30, 2021) the following activities have been implemented:
- For any project irrespective its size or financial contribution, the approval from NGO Affairs Bureau has to be obtained which is always a lengthy bureaucratic procedure in Bangladesh.
- During the project period, we purchased and installed three desktop computers including UPS and two laptops, two printers and the necessary equipment for the internet line for the Night School to offer the students basic computer training.
- Trainings are provided by IT experts and students participate on voluntary basis from Class Five to Class Eight.
- These computer classes were conducted three days a week for the past three months. Presently the computer classes alike regular classes have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation and the current hard lockdown in Bangladesh. After termination of the lockdown we will restart the regular classes and also the computer classes at the Night School.
- Furthermore, we purchased and installed furniture items, like a book self, chairs and benches for the student’s seating and decorated the night school.
- Moreover, we purchased sports materials for the Night School students and kids and distributed them among them and arranged a sports event at the night school. many night school students participated in this event and prizes were given to the lucky winners.
- The team also purchased education materials like stationery items, exercise books, pens, pencils, sharpeners, notebook and storybooks and handed them over to the children as per need and guidance of the teachers.
- We also purchased and handed over school uniforms /school dresses for the Night School students.
- Additionally, we purchased school bags and tooth brushes for the Night School students and distributed them as per the needs of the children.
- For the past three months we purchased and distributed once a week food items and snacks like juice, potato snacks, fruits, and biscuits to the Night School students.
