His Excellency, Mr. Bahnarim Guinomla, Ambassador, Embassy of Philippines visited the CAMPE office on 7th July, 2010. During the visit Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE and His Excellency exchanged views on various issues related to socio cultural and economic development of the two countries. His Excellency expressed his appreciation at the advocacy role that CAMPE was playing in the education sector of Bangladesh. He also welcomed the idea of the forthcoming exposure visit to Philippines by CAMPE staff along with senior & mid level government officials.  more...

His Excellency Mr. Sarath K. Weragoda, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh visited CAMPE office on 30th June, 2010. He was accompanied by his wife Madam Shirani Weragoda. He was received by the Senior Management Team of CAMPE led by Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury. During the visit Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury briefed him on CAMPE's background and its role in the education sector. The honorable High Commissioner shared the Sri Lankan experience on education and the reasons behind its success. He appreciated the activities of CAMPE and expressed his hope that CAMPE will continue to keep up its good work.  more...

A workshop on "Gender Equity in Non-formal Education Material: Importance and Strategy" was held in Bureau of Non-formal Education Auditorium on 23 June 2010. CAMPE and Bureau of Non-formal Education (BNFE) jointly organized the workshop. The workshop was organized to develop a guideline for addressing Gender Equity in non-formal education materials. This was a follow up of a workshop held earlier to review NFE materials through a gender lense by a group of gender specialists. An exhibition of non-formal education material developed by different agencies active in the sector was also inaugurated by the Chief Guest of the workshop Mr. Motahar Hossain, State Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME). The Opening Session of the workshop, chaired by Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE, was graced by presence of Ms. Suraiya Begum, Additional Secretary, MoPME and Mr. Rezaul Quader, Director General, BNFE.  more...

Thousands of Bangladeshis join 1GOAL Campaign
(Friday, 11 June, 2010)

The waiting is over. For the first time, the FIFA World Cup 2010 being held in Africa is marked by an equally historic legacy - Education For All. FIFA committed to make education the lasting legacy of the World Cup by supporting an international campaign called 1GOAL: Education For All led by the Global Campaign for Education. In Bangladesh, Campaign for Popular Education arranged the screening of the World Cup’s first match in 63 districts of Bangladesh including the capital city of Bangladesh.

These programs were participated by District Commissioners, officials from administration and other government departments, elected members of parliament, youth groups, sports club, students, community leaders, civil society groups, renowned public figures NGO representatives and general mass as expression of solidarity. CAMPE partners at the local level also arranged rally, press meeting, cultural programs to create a festive mood before the opening match. In some places mock matches were played by young boys and girls and the winning team was awarded with a trophy.  more...

Click here to see the Photo Gallery of Event.

 

A Discussion Session on Realities and Challenges of Education for All (EFA) & Sharing of findings of the study on Reality Check Bangladesh 2009 on Education was organized by Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) in cooperation with SIDA Bangladesh on 25th April 2010 at the CIRDAP Auditorium, Dhaka. About 80 participants from Teachers’ Unions, NGOs, Researchers, Media and Civil Society Groups attended the Discussion Session. Dr. Alauddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister (Education, Social development and Political Affairs) was present as the Chief Guest. Kazi Rafiqul Alam, Chairperson, CAMPE & President, DAM presided over the the discussion session.  more...

As part of the activities in Global Action Week 2010, a Roundtable was jointly organized by The Daily Star, Campaign for popular Education (CAMPE) and Save the Children on “A National Priority for EFA: Reaching the Vulnerable Children” on 22nd April 2010 at the VIP Lounge, the National Press Club, Dhaka. Mr. Md. Motahar Hossain, Hon’ble State Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education graced the event as the Chief Guest. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Former Advisor, Caretaker Government and Executive Director, CAMPE, Mr. Mahfuz Anam, Editor & Publisher of the Daily Star and Mr. Sumon Sen Gupta, Country Director, Save the Children UK was also present in the Roundtable. State Minister Mr. Md. Motahar Hossain said that the Government is working hard to ensure Primary Education for all by 2011, eliminating all sorts of complications and discriminations. Referring to the government initiatives in ensuring quality education, the State Minister said they have already submitted the draft National Education Policy which may be approved soon and implementation will start by 2011. He also sought cooperation from NGOs and Civil Society Members to education for all.  more...

A packed audience at Rabindra Sarobar, Dhaka joined their voice and pledged to take responsibility of helping at least one person become literate. The electrifying music and passionate appeal made by Pop Guru Azam Khan to help reach EFA echoed across the entire ground.

Other singers who expressed their solidarity with the campaign and appealed to the mass to transfer knowledge, take on more responsibility as privileged citizens were – Shahed Khan, Bappa Mazumdar, Fahmida Nabi and S I Tutul.

Reprsentatives from Civil Society Ogranizations who expressed their solidarity were Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Ex-Vice Chancellor, Jahangir Nagar University, Professor M. Tanim, Former Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Care Taker Government, Professor Shafi Ahmed, Jahangir Nagar University, Dr. Anwara Begum, Senior Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, Mr. M. Habibur Rahman, Director, Education, Save the Children and Ms. Shaheen Anam, Team Leader, Manusher Jonno Foundation. Mr. Minar Pemple, Deputy Director, UN Millennium Campaign was also present.  more...

Click here to see the Photo Gallery of different events of Global Action Week 2010.

 

As part of observance of Global Action Week (GAW), Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) in collaboration with International Organization for Migration (IOM) organized a National Sharing Workshop on Primary Education for Prevention of Child Trafficking at the Pan-Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on 20th April 2010. Dr. Md. Afsarul Amin, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass education graced the Workshop as the Chief Guest. Mr. Abu Alam Md. Shahid Khan, Secretary in Charge, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and Ms. Rabab Fatima, Regional Representative of IOM were present at the Workshop as Special Guests. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government and Executive Director of CAMPE presided over the Workshop. Mr. Ziaul Hasan, Director, Planning & Development, NAEM presented the curriculum at the workshop. Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Senior Advisor BRAC University Institute of Educational Development (BU-IED) Moderated the Workshop.  more...

Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) launched Global Action Week 2010 in Bangladesh through a national seminar on "National Education Policy, Education Budget: Our Expectations" on 19 April, 2010. Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Education graced the seminar as the Chief Guest and declared the opening of Global Action Week 2010 in Bangladesh. Addressing the audience the Minister said, "mere increasing the budgetary allocation for education sector is not enough rather making the education sector free from corruption is more important". He said, "the new education policy has been prepared on the basis of the national needs, not on partisan interest".

Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE in her welcome address pointed out that it was high time that everybody take stock of how much has been achieved and what more needs to be done if we are to achieve the EFA goals. There is no scope for complacence, she said. While talking about the gender parity and dropout of girls she said eve teasing is one of the main causes of dropout. Girls can’t go to school because of eve teasing thus dropping out before completion.  more...

The Fifth Meeting of UNESCO's CCNGO/EFA was held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka from 22 to 24 March 2010. Hon'ble Minister for Education Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid MP inaugurated the meeting jointly hosted by UNESCO and CAMPE. The CCNGO/EFA is a thematic mechanism created by UNESCO to reflect the recommendations of the Dakar Framework for Action and to facilitate reflection, permanent dialogue and joint action between NGOs and UNESCO in the area of Education for All (EFA). A CCNGO/EFA Coordination Group has been set up to ensure, in collaboration with UNESCO, the follow-up of activities and to serve as the interface between the Dakar follow-up programmes and mechanisms and the CCNGO/EFA. Around 100 representatives from international, regional and national non-government organizations (NGOs) attended the meeting that focused on marginalization and the impact of financial crisis on education. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid said that despite the progresses made so far, Bangladesh needs more interational support to root out illiteracy from the country by 2014.  more...

A roundtable on "Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) 2010: Expectations and Outcomes" organized by Education Watch in cooperation with Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) was held in the CIRDAP Auditorium on 17 February 2010. Mr. Kazi Fazlur Rahman, Chairperson of Education Watch and Former Adviser to the Caretaker Government presided over the function. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE and Former Adviser to the Caretaker Government welcomed the participants in the roundtable. Speakers of the roundtable said, "It is important that all actors work together right from the inception to the implementation of a project in order to ensure effective change especially in developing countries like Bangladesh". For the first time it was good to see the Government in the driving seat and taking a firm stand instead of giving in to donor pressure and prioritizing national interest added Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury.  more...

Two day-long National seminar on "Basic Education in Mother Tongue for Indigenous Children" was held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy Lecture Theatre hall on 15-16 February, 2010. The seminar was jointly organized by CAMPE and partner organizations working with Multi Lingual Education (MLE). Mr. Promode Mankin, Honorable State Minister, Ministry of Cultural Affairs graced the seminar as the Chief Guest in the 1st working session. The Honorable State Minister also inaugurated the display of MLE materials. Mr. ATM Mohiuddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) and Professor Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Chairman, NCTB were present as Special Guests. Ms. Selina Hossain, Prominent Writer and Former Director of Bangla Academy presided over the inaugural session. Dr. Md. Afsarul Ameen, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education attended as the Chief Guest in the Closing Session of the seminar. Ms. Saima Anwer, Deputy Country Director of Save the Children - UK was present as Special Guest. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Former Advisor, Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and Executive Director of CAMPE presided over the Closing Session of the seminar.  more...

CAMPE Council Members congratulated Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder Chairperson and Advisor of CAMPE on his getting knighthood by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services in tackling poverty and empowering the poor in Bangladesh and abroad.

Fazle Hasan Abed is to be appointed Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG), and is the first person of Bangladesh origin to be honoured with knighthood by the British Crown since 1947. The award is a recognition and testament to the vision, courage and dynamism of Fazle Hasan Abed, and to his work spanning four decades in education, health, human rights and social development, and for bringing development services to the doorstep of millions of the poor in an effort to eradicate poverty in Bangladesh and countries in Asia and Africa.  more...

A two day-long South Asia Civil Society Consultation prior to 2nd Ministerial Meeting of South Asia EFA Forum in Bangladesh on Reaching the Un-reached through Decentralization was held on 11-12 December 2009 at Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka. The consultation was jointly organized by CAMPE, Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) and Global Campaign for Education(GCE). Civil Society Representatives from 6 South Asian countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka took part in the consultation. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director, CAMPE welcomed all the participants and briefly described the background and objectives of the consultation. A Charter of Demands was formulated in consultation in a participatory process for the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of South Asia EFA Forum. Mr. Bernie Lovegrove, CSEF Regional Coordinator, ASPBAE, Australia, Ms. Kjersti Mowé, Acting Project Manager, GCE, South Africa, Mohammad Muntasim Tanvir, South Asia Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, ASPBAE, S A Hasan Al Farooque, CSEF Regional Coordinator, ASPBAE, Ms. Tasneem Athar, Deputy Director, CAMPE, and K. M. Enamul Hoque, Program Manager, CAMPE were also present in the consultation.  more...

A Solidarity Dinner & Cultural Evening was hosted in honour of the South Asia delegates participating in the two day-long South Asia Civil Society Consultation prior to 2nd Ministerial Meeting of South Asia EFA Forum in Bangladesh on Reaching the Un-reached through Decentralization was held on 11-12 December 2009 at Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka. Dr. Afsarul Ameen, Minister for Primary & Mass Education (MoPME), Mr. Abul Kalam Azad, Minister for Information & Cultural Affairs, Mr. Rashed Khan Menon, Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Mr. Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder & Chairperson, BRAC & Advisor, CAMPE, acting High Commissioner of Pakistan and other distinguished guests for civil society, media, were present at the dinner to express their solidarity with the South Asia Civil Society voice.  more...

The Education Watch Report 2008 titled "State of Primary Education in Bangladesh: Progress Made, Challenges Remained" has recently been published by CAMPE. The Report was formally launched by Mr. Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Finance, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on 2nd December 2007 in a Launching Ceremony organized at the LGED-RDEC Auditorium (Level-12), Agargaon, Dhaka. Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Hon’ble Minister for Education, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was present as Special Guest. Mr. Samir Ranjan Nath, Researcher & Member, Education Watch Group presented the Major Findings of the Study and Policy Implications. The function was presided by Mr. Kazi Fazlur Rahman, Chairperson, Education Watch and Advisor, Former Caretaker Government . The launching ceremony was attended by more than 250 representatives from Government Agencies, National & International NGOs, Development Partners and Civil Society Groups. The program started with a welcome address by Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director, CAMPE and Member Secretary, Education Watch.  more...

• Observed Global Action Week (19-25 April 2010) with local level and national level activities all over Bangladesh in 42 Districts.

• Participated in Amor Ekushey Book Fair 2010 in Bangla Academy premises from 1-28 February.

• Meeting with ADB mission with civil society on "Capacity Development for Madrasah Education" was held on 23 February 2010 at CAMPE Conference Room.

• A Planning meeting on Review of NFE materials focusing on Gender issue was held on 18 February 2010 at CAMPE Conference Room.

• Participated in Development Fair 2010 organized by Bangladesh Government from 15-16 February at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

• Second Planning Meeting of Global Action Week (GAW) 2010 was held on 28 January 2010 at the WVA Auditorium.

• Seven episodes of Shikkhar Chalchitra (TV Program on Literacy & Education) aired on Channel-i in Jannuary 2010.

• Aired the TV spot on Child enrolment and Child Census on RTV & ATN Bangla in Jannuary 2010.

• Published and disseminated Shakkharata Bulletin, January 2010 issue (No. 191).

• Organized 2 divisional level orientation workshops on "Reproductive Health & HIV/ AIDs" in Jhenaidha & Khulna on 27 & 29 December 2009 respectively.

• Organized 2 day-long Training orientation on "Popular Communication" at CAMPE training Centre on 23-24 December 2009.

• Organized 2 day-long Teachers Training workshop on "Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities" at CDD training Centre on 21-22 December 2009.

• South Asia Civil Society Consultation was organized prior to 2nd Ministerial Meeting of South Asia EFA Forum in Bangladesh on "Reaching the Un-reached through Decentralization" on 11-12 December 2009 at Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka.

• An Orientation on "Secondary School Management" was organized from 26 May, 2010 to 2 June, 2010 at CAMPE Training Centre with 25 participants (Male-15, Female-10).

• An Orientation/Training on "Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)" was held at Karnaphuly HRDI, Chittagong on 22-27 May, 2010 with 24 participants (Male-13, Female-15) from 14 organizations, jointly organized and facilitated by BEN Chittagong-Sylhet Region and Sangshaptaque.

• A District Level Seminar on "Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)" was held at Natore on 19 May, 2010, in association with ALOW with 85 participants including 36 female.

• An Orientation on "Training on Literacy Trainers (TOT)" was held at CAMPE Training Centre on 10-19 May, 2010 with 25 participants (Male-11, Female-14).

• Two District Level Seminars on "Continuing Education" were held at Gopalgonj on 9th May, 2010 with 82 participants (Male- 60, Female- 22) and at Narayangonj on 30th May, 2010 with 119 participants (Male-62, Female-57). The seminars were jointly organized with BRAC Education Program and IVDS respectively.

• A Visitation Program was organized during 04-06 May, 2010 with 25 participants including 6 female.

• An Orientation on "Planning and Reporting of Literacy and CE Program" was held at CAMPE Training Center on 02-06 May, 2010 with 24 participants (Male-12, Female-12).

• An Orientation on "Environmental Awareness Development" was held at TARC, BRAC, Uttara, Dhaka on 26-29 April 2010 with 26 participants (Male-20, Female-6).

• A District Level Seminar on "Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)" was held at Sherpur on 26th April 2010 in collaboration with Cultural and Development Society (CDS)with 78 participants including 15 female participants.

• Published & distributed May 2010 issue of PARUA - Magazine for Neo-literates and May 2010 issue of KISHOREE KATHA - Magazine for Neo-literate adolescents.

• Formed 2 Community Watch Groups in Habiganj in May 2010 and in Nawabganj in June 2010.

• Completed Baseline Survey of Tegharia Union in Habiganj as part of Small Scale Study in May.

• Organized a Discussion Session on Realities and Challenges of Education for All (EFA) & Sharing of findings of the Study on Reality Check Bangladesh 2009 on Education on 25 April 2010.

• Field Visit of Community Watch Group Activities in Saghata Thana of Gaibandha and Planning Meeting was held to finalize the activities of Community Watch group on 18 April 2010.

• Planning Meeting of Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) was held on 5th March 2010 at CAMPE.

• Capacity Building Workshop for Policy Advocacy on "Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Education" was held in hotel Civic Inn on 23-24th February 2010.

• A roundtable on "Bangladesh Development Forum (BDF) 2010: Expectations and Outcomes" organized by Education Watch in cooperation with Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) was held in the CIRDAP Auditorium on 17 February 2010.

• Organized a Joint Meeting of Education Watch Group Members on 15 February 2010 at the CAMPE Conference Room.

• Organized the first Council Meeting of 2010 on 19 January at the CAMPE Conference Room.

• Education Watch Report 2008 titled "State of Primary Education in Bangladesh: Progress Made, Challenges Remained" was launched on 2nd December 2009 at the LGED-RDEC Auditorium (Level-12), Agargaon, Dhaka.

• A Sharing Meeting with the Civil Society on "Education Policy 2009 (Final draft)" was held on 27 September 20009 at the LGED Auditorium, Dhaka in cooperation with Education Watch.

• Oganized 2 sub-national consultations on "National Education Policy 2009: Our Expectations" in Barisal and Jessore on 18 and 22 August 2009 respectively.