Non-Formal Primary Education Program – GUK Shishu Bikash

Education is the backbone of a nation & a nation cannot prosper without proper educational facilities. Considering the importance of education in the way of overall development of a nation, Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK) has been implementing its non-formal primary education program since its inception with the financial & technical assistance of Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Whereas the rate of literacy is yet to be increased with quality education facilities in the country, a major population of the rural society demands quality education for their children at a cost effective manner.
The existing number of Government Primary Schools is not enough to cover the growing number of school going children in rural & hard to reach remote areas. There is a high demand for quality education of school going children in remote areas without any compromise. On the basis of a feasibility study & the importance of increasing rate of literacy, the management authority of GUK took the decision to run GUK Shishu Bikash Education Program with a cost sharing basis for the drop-out & non school going children of the beneficiaries of GUK and other poor community households who are living in the remote areas. For achieving the cherished goal of having a literate society GUK has started the Shishu Bikash Education Program in Bogra district as a pilot program in 2016 and executed full operation starting from 2017. Funding for the program comes solely from GUK’s own source with some contribution from the community level.


Highlights
- 13 districts covered
- 70 upazillas, 240 unions and 790 villages covered.
- 688 schools established
- All schools established in remote and hard to reach areas.
- 18612 students enrolled
- 60% female and 40% male students.
- 96.8% attendance rate.
- 688 experienced female teachers employed.
- Free education materials were provided.