UNICEF supports the Government-driven Second Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP II). The programme aims to achieve quality education for al

UNICEF supports the Government-driven Second Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP II). The programme aims to achieve quality education for all children by making primary schools more inclusive, child-friendly and effective.

Teacher training
UNICEF supports training for teachers and school administrators on inclusive education, interactive teaching and other classroom subjects. Information leaflets on current issues in education – such as access for disabled children, participatory learning, corporal punishment, HIV/AIDS, school sanitation, child injury and emergency preparedness – are distributed to teachers. UNICEF is also helping the Government to revise the Certificate of Education curriculum to ensure that new primary teachers understand issues of gender, access and participation.

Motivating communities
UNICEF works to mobilize communities in support of primary education and primary schools. Local theatre groups present plays and puppet shows about the importance of attending and completing primary school. The shows offer community members a chance to discuss sensitive issues like school attendance and drop-out rates. Over 2 million people attended these dramas in 2008.

Meena episodes contribute to a nation-wide awareness campaign promoting girls’ education, creative teaching and the idea that learning can be fun.

Empowering primary schools
UNICEF empowers parents, teachers and local communities to work together by providing school-improvement grants to school management committees. These committees meet regularly to develop School Level Improvement Plans (SLIPs) to manage the funds. Making decisions about the needs of the school fosters a sense of ownership among teachers and parents. Among the schools receiving grants, money has been spent on:
teaching materials
filing cabinets and bookshelves
books for school libraries
benches
tools
cleaning products
ramps for disabled access
a school bell
sports days and prizes
musical instruments
planting a school garden
constructing toilets
Teachers involved in the SLIP process report feeling more motivated in the classroom because they have greater control over school resources and the learning environment.

Making learning fun
In each of the 64 districts, education fairs bring together teachers and students from different schools. Displays of children’s work and student performances foster a sense of school community and encourage children to take pride in their achievements.

UNICEF is working to increase primary school enrolment and attendance through early learning programmes.

On track for education
Literacy is a key indicator of the success of primary school education. In Bangladesh, literacy rates among 15-24 year-olds increased from 37 per cent in 1991 to 54 per cent in 2006. Bangladesh is also on track to meet Millennium Goals two and three for universal primary education and gender parity in school.

Download the Quality primary education factsheet.