Director of AIT Extension Visits CAMPE
(Sunday 26 June, 2011)

Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Extension, Thailand visited CAMPE Office on 26 June 2011 for the first time to meet the CAMPE staff and discuss the upcoming Strategic Planning process to be carried out in collaboration with AIT Team of Experts. CAMPE hopes to collaborate with AIT for preparing its Strategic Plan for its next phase. AIT will also assist in preparing the Project Proposal and a Business Plan for CAMPE. Earlier a group of 11 senior staff members from CAMPE took part in a training on "Organizational Strategic Planning and Management" from 21 to 24 December 2010. This Internal Team will work closely with the AIT Experts for the Strategic Plan Development process. Ms. Tasneem Athar, Deputy Director gave a brief presentation on the activities of CAMPE followed by an interactive discussion. Dr. Shaw on behalf of AIT expressed keen interest to partner with CAMPE in future staff development initiative.  more...

CAMPE is going to produce and air "Education News" in cooperation with Channel-i for one month. Watch Channel-i news every evening at 10:30 pm for update on education issues starting from June 25, 2011.

Global Action Week Observed in Bangladesh
(2-8 May, 2011)

Global Action Week (GAW) was observed across Bangladesh in coordination with CAMPE amidst great enthusiasm and commitment towards achieving Education For All (EFA) particularly to promote girls education. Campaign materials like posters, leaflets and Booklets produced by CAMPE were provided to all campaign partners for dissemination among local participants. The events drew attention of local administration, elected people's representatives, media, local community leaders, teachers, SMC's, parents', students and other stakeholders. The importance of girls’ education was reiterated at every stage. School environment, social security and accessibility to schools were given emphasis. People at every level demanded increase in national budget allocation for education and expansion of the existing coverage of stipend for girls.
 

Special importance to girls' education in the forthcoming Primary Education Development Program (PEDP III) was also demanded by the campaigners. All of them urged the government to start implementation of the National Education Policy-2010 immediately even if it has to be done in phases.

GAW week, coordinated by CAMPE, was observed in Bangladesh across 50 districts with 50 partner NGOs and Teacher Associations (for details see Annex-1). Some organizations proactively observed the week in solidarity with the campaign. (for details see the Annex-2). A Total of 343489 people were mobilized through different programs including story telling, rally, human chain, discussion meetings, courtyard meetings, cultural events, seminars, etc.  more...

Click here to see Pictures of the GAW 2011 Events in Bangladesh

GCE statement on Gender and Education: GAW 2011 and beyond

Global Action Week 2011 in Bangladesh concluded with a Round Table on Right to Education: Ensuring Acces with Equity and Quality held on Saturday May 7, 2011 at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel , Dhaka. The speakers included the Hon’ble Minister for Education Nurul Islam Nahid MP, Prof R Govinda, VC, National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) Delhi. Dr Keith Lewin from Sussex University, UK, Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Adviser BUIED, Rasheda K Choudhury, Executive Director, CAMPE, Prof Sadeka Halim, Information Commissioner and other academics, researchers, representative of Teachers Union, Women’s Group etc.

Rasheda K Choudhury, the Coordinator of the Global Action Week in Bangladesh in her welcome remarks stated, "We need such a discussion to create pressure on the policy makers for getting a Right to Education Act in place and ensure the achievement of EFA with quality and equity". She welcomed the media for taking interest in such an issue and hoped that they will continue to promote issues related to education in order to raise public awareness.  more...

Click here for Newspaper Clippings of the Seminar

Story Telling program organized in Natore, a north eastern district of Bangladesh
(Tuesday 3 May, 2011)

Women leaders shared their own challenges and success story with students, teachers, representatives of women’s group, NGO leaders, human rights activists in a Story Telling program organized by Access toward Livelihood and Welfare Organisation ALWO a women headed and grassroots organisation in partnership with CSEF at the Rani Bhabani Girls College auditorium on Tuesday May 3,2011. Mrs. Rahima Khatun, Vice Principal, Rani Bhabani College was present as Chief Guest. Retired Principal and Freedom Fighter Prof. Nazrul Islam and Ms. Tasneem Athar Deputy Director CAMPE were present as special guests. The sharing was followed by awarding of crest to honor three women from the local community who have become successful role models in the society through their hard work.  more...

CAMPE celebrates 20 years of its Advocacy and Campaign on Education in Bangladesh
(Wednesday 27 April, 2011)

Campaign for Popular Education CAMPE observed its 20years of advocacy and campaign in a colorful program attended by the Hon’ble Minister for Education Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Former Education Minister Dr. Osman Farrook , former advisers to the Care Taker Government, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Afghanistan, CAMPE’s development partners, CAMPE Chairperson Kazi Rafiqul Alam, members of CAMPE Council, other academics, heads of organizations, celebrities, representatives from print and electronic media and representatives of CAMPE’s constituency from the local and regional level.

The program started with the screening of a video documentary Shobar Jonno Shikkhyar Onneshone (In pursuit for education) a video documentary on the progress of education sector from the post Liberation war period to the present. It was followed by a song Amra korbo joy -we shall overcome rendered by the students of UCEP an organization for the underprivileged children and a CAMPE partner. The third segment was a dance presentation AAhban (Call for action) by the students of Pallavi Dance Center, directed by renowned choreographer Ms Minu Haque.  more...

Exploring Low Performance in Education: The Case of Sylhet Division: the Education Watch Report 2009-10 was recently launched by CAMPE on 17th April 2011 in a colourful ceremony organized in association with FIVDB at Hotel Nirvana Inn, Sylhet, a divisional headquarter located in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh. The report highlighted the major factors behind low performance in education in this region. It also indicated a major deficiency in the planning process which tend to follow “one size fits all” policy. The decision makers and practitioners present in the meeting expressed their agreement with most of the findings and committed to bring about a change in this scenario. The study also focused on the girl child of this region who are usually the first ones to be deprived of state and non-state services. A series of demands, based on the findings of the study, were placed before the high level gathering. These include, inter-alia, better planning focusing on regional and socio-economic grouping based disparities, targetted interventions, more authority for local government and more space for involvement of local communities in designing and monitoring of EFA.  more...

A Training of Trainers (ToT) on Right to Education was organized by Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) under the Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) Project from 29 to 31 January at CAMPE Training Centre, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. The Specific purpose of the three days training program was the capacity building of Teachers’ Union and Partner organization on Right to Education which would contribute to (i) better understanding of the concept related to Right to Education, (ii) strengthen education advocacy capacity, and (iii) enhancing the negotiation power of teacher union and partner organizations. 28 participants representing Teachers Association, Partner NGOs of CAMPE, representative of NGOs working for ethnic minority groups along with CAMPE staff participated in the ToT.  more...

"Local Government should take over Primary Education" says MP in Study Sharing Meeting
(Tuesday 25 January 2011)

Primary education should be the responsibility of the Local Government - said Mr. Hafiz Ahmed Majumdar, MP, which, according in his remark as Guest Speaker in the Sharing of a Study on "Exploring the Dynamics of Exclusion in Education" on January 25, 2011 at Spectra Convention Centre, Dhaka, will ensure better management including proper monitoring and quality of education. The program was jointly organized by Campaign for Popular Education and Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB).

The study was conducted with the aim to help better understanding of the dynamics of exclusion in primary schools and to find advocacy scopes that can ensure children’s access to and benefit from quality primary education in the country. According to Mr. M.A. Mannan, MP, priority to female teachers (60% in Bangladesh) in primary education is a universally accepted practice but it is found to be not a practical proposition in Haor areas where mobility is very difficult. He underlined the need for NGO intervention in inaccessible places like Haor and hilly region.

PKSF Chairperson and member of National Education Policy Implementation Committee Dr. Q K Ahmad said that the main challenge in implementing the NEP 2010 is administrative rather then financial. The meeting was inaugurated with welcome speech from FIVDB Executive Director Mr. Zahin Ahmed. Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of CAMPE moderated the sharing session.

Two Capacity Building Workshops on "Strategies of Inclusive Education for Children with Disability" were held on 21 to 23 December and 27 to 29 December, 2010 respectively. CAMPE organized both the residential workshops in cooperation with Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) and Centre for Disability in development (CDD). The objective of the workshop was to raise awareness of the Teachers' Union representatives about the importance to include disable children in formal education system and to exercise the roles and responsibilities of teachers to ensure inclusive education for the disabled children. A total of 50 representatives from Government, non-government,  Teachers' Union and Community Watch members along with CAMPE staff members participated in the workshop.  more...

People in North Bengal struggle to survive the current cold wave that is sweeping across the country particularly in the Char areas and the Barendra tract. Children and older people are the worst victims of this unbearable drop in temperature. A team of volunteers from CAMPE staff has left for Shaghata under Gaibandha Upazilla and Neyamatpur under NaogaonUpazilla to distribute winter clothings and blankets to the most vulnerable families suffering from the current cold wave. The blankets will be distributed from 13-14 Jan, 2011 in total four spots among the worst victims in cooperation with the local administration and CAMPE partner Udayan Shabolombi Shangstha UDS and Barendra Development Organization BDO.

The "National Education Policy 2010" was adopted by the National Parliament on December 7, 2010. This needs to be lauded because it is for the first time in 40 years, since the independence of Bangladesh that such a policy has been adopted. The policy has accommodated the opinion of people from all walks of society and thus created a new opportunity to achieve the goal of Education for All. Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) has been advocating for such a policy for years and believes that despite having some limitation, the policy is a way forward to make education accessible and equitable for all.

CAMPE believes that the implementation of the NEP requires a concerted effort from all quarters and therefore it is important for the civil society to realize that they too have an important role to play. With this objective CAMPE organized a Mass Gathering and Cultural Program on January 1, 2011, also the beginning of the NEW ACADEMIC YEAR in Bangladesh. The Program held at the Rabindra Sharabar Mancha from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Dhaka was graced by the Hon’ble Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid who reiterated his commitment to ensure the proper implementation of the National Education Policy even if it has to be done in phases and requires more time. He expressed his deep appreciation towards CAMPE and its partners for taking such an initiative to share the messages of the National Education Policy with the common mass and raise their awareness. Hafiz Ahmed Mazumder, MP also expressed solidarity, who assured all of his support.  more...

• Sub-National Sharing Meeting on formulation of Policy Advocacy Strategy Paper was held on 2 July 2011 at Rajshahi in collaboration with ACD, Rajshahi.

• Orientation Workshop on Popular Theater was held on 30 June-1 July 2011 at Khulna district in collaboration with Rupantar.

• Shikkha Sangbad, news on education, is being aired on Channel i from 25 June 2011, jointly developed by Channel i & CAMPE.

• A Sharing Meeting on the draft Guideline for NFE Material Review focusing Gender was held on 28 June 2011 at CAMPE.

• A Roundtable on "National Budget 2011-2012: Allocation on Education & Socio Economic Development for Adibashi Peoples" was held on 26 June 2011 at CIRDAP in collaboration with NCIP.

• An Advance Training Workshop on Ensuring Mainstreaming Education for Children with Disability was held on 22-24 June 2011 at CDD Training Centre, Savar, Dhaka in collaboration with CDD.

• A Study Tour/Exposure visit was held on 19-25 June 2011 at Cambodia. NGO Education Partnership (NEP) hosted the visit. 11 member team including Government Officials, NGO Representatives, Education Watch Group Member and CAMPE staff participated in the visit.

• An Orientation Workshop on "Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and HIV-AIDS" was held on 10-11 June 2011 at VERC Training Center, Savar in collaboration with VERC.

• A Sub-National Sharing Meeting on formulation of Policy Advocacy Strategy Paper was held on 9 June 2011 at Zilla Parishad Auditorium, Mymensingh in collaboration with CARITAS.

• An Orientation Workshop on Popular Theater was held on 7-8 June 2011 at Jamalpur District, jointly Organized by CAMPE & ISOL, Jamalpur.

• A Planning Meeting on Formulation of Policy Advocacy Strategy was held on 7 June 2011 at CAMPE.

• "World Environment Day 2011" was observed on 5 June 2011. CAMPE and partner organizations participated the Rally on 4 June 2011 organized by Ministry Environment and Forest (MOEF). CAMPE also participated the Environment Fair at the Bangabandhu International Conference Hall, Dhaka from 5 to 7 June 2011.

• Published and disseminated Shakkharata Bulletin, May 2011 issue (No. 207).

• Two workshops on Continuing Education (CE) Learners Assessment were held on 28 June, 2011 in collaboration with ASHIKA at Rangamati and Dhaka Ahsania Mission at Narsingdi. A total of 110 participants were participated in these workshops including 49 from indigenous community at Rangamati.
• A district level Advocacy Seminar on Environmental Awareness was held at Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), Savar, Dhaka on 27 June, 2011 in collaboration with GK.
• A Discussion Meeting on National Women Policy 2011 was held at Khulna on 26 June, 2011 in collaboration with Ashroy Foundation.
• A District level Seminar and Material Exhibition on "Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)" was held at Barisal on 19 June, 2011 in collaboration with Speed Trust where 10 organizations including Bangladesh Shishu Academy participated.
• A training course on "Financial Management" was held at CAMPE Training Centre on 14-16 June, 2011 with 17 participants (Male- 12, Female- 5).
• A district level seminar on "Literacy and Continuing Education: Our Role" was held at Mymensingh on 09 June, 2011 with 125 participants (male- 95, female- 30) in collaboration with Caritas Bangladesh.
• An 8 member team from the Literacy Department of Afghanistan visited CAMPE on 8th June 2011 as part of training and study visit to Bangladesh from 30th May to 9th June 2011. During the visit, they learnt about CAMPE & its activities. They also attended for sometime a Materials Development Workshop and a training session on "Evaluation of Literacy and Continuing Education Program" organized by CAMPE.
• A Workshop on CE Material Development was held at CAMPE Training Centre on 05-10 June, 2011, with 23 participants (Male- 10, Female- 13).
• An Orientation on Planning and Reporting of Literacy and CE program was held at CAMPE Training Centre on 05-09 June, 2011, with 24 participants (Male- 12, Female- 12).
• Published & distributed June 2011 issue of PARUA (208) Magazine for Neo-literates and April 2011 issue of KISHOREE KATHA (158) Magazine for Neo-literate adolescents.

• A Core Group Meeting of Education Watch was held on 9 July 2011 at CAMPE to discuss about 2011 Study on "Technical and Vocational Education".

• A Meeting was held with Dr. Jonathan Shaw, Director, AIT Extension to discuss about the Memorandum of Agreement of CAMPE with AIT for Strategic Planning Process at CAMPE Conference Room on 26 June 2011.

• An Orientation on "National Education Policy 2010: Rights, Responsibilities and Status of Teachers" was organized by CAMPE in association with Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) with the partner organizations from different division on 25 June 2011.

• A Sharing Meeting on "National Education Policy 2010: Rights, Responsibilities and Status of Teachers" was held with the Teachers' Association on 25 June 2011 under CSEF Project.

• Organized a Training on Microsoft PowerPoint on 21-23 June 2011 at CAMPE Computer Lab where 5 staff members from 3 Units attended.

• An Exchange Visit program was held from 18 to 20 June 2011 at Shibram Government Model Primary School, Sundarganj, Gaibandha under CSEF Project where 45 participants from Teachers' Association and Community Watch groups participated.

• Survey on Enrollment (Primary Education) Status at Union Level was done in Birishiri Union under Durgapur Upazila at Netrokona District from 23 May to 30 May 2011, Teghoria Union under Habiganj Sadar Upazila at Habiganj District from 7 June to 13 June 2011,  Amjhupi Union under Meherpur Sadar Upazila at Meherpur District from 15 June to 21 June 2011 and Ghorapakhia Union under Shibganj Upazila at Chapai Nawabganj District from 19 June to 23 June 2011 respectively.

• A Meeting was held between the CAMPE Management Team and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Team comprising of Dr. Fazle Karim and Dr. Sundar Venkatesh on CAMPE's Strategic Planning Process for its next phase at Soi 71, Gulshan, Dhaka on 10 June, 2011.

• Organized a Stakeholder Meeting on the proposed Education Watch 2011 Study on "Skills Development and Technical and Vocational Education (TVET)" at the CAMPE Conference Room on 19 May 2011.

• Dhaka School of Economics and Bangladesh Economic Association in association with Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) organized a Seminar on "Implementation of National Education Policy 2010 Focusing on Regional Disparities and Financing" as part of the Bangladesh Social and Economic Forum Coordinated by Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad on Wednesday 27 April, 2011 at the Media Bazar Hall of Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.

• The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CAMPE was organized at the LGED Auditorium (Level-2) Agargoan, Dhaka on 27 April 2011.

• Organized Council Meeting of CAMPE on 26 April 2011 at CAMPE Conference Room.