Taking yet another leap towards a future digital Bangladesh, last week, the government launched a historic program that will enable access to digital content and multimedia for children in classrooms from underprivileged communities.
The Government of Bangladesh, in partnership with BRAC and Save the Children, launched the program on February 14, building off the initiative by BRAC.
“If we want to prepare Bangladesh further to become a middle income country, then we have to prepare the majority for the future,” Safiqul Islam, director of BRAC Education Programme, told the Dhaka Tribune.
“Those without access to proper schooling are suffering from the quality divide. We believe this initiative will make them more educated and confident as well,” said Safiqul.
In a world increasingly digital – there is still an almost stagnant gap between the middle class and lower socio-economic class, this initiative by BRAC is likely to bridge various voids.
The whole digital divide causes those without access to digital technology to fall behind, added Safiqul, further emphasising on the importance of this program. The program aims to provide every primary school-going child with access to a computer and digital multimedia content as part of the curriculum.
“The tablets have materials that are engaging, with self-learning mechanisms,” said Safiqul. “For children who want to learn more, they have provisions to access more information as well.”
The program was initiated by BRAC around two years ago across four schools in Dhamrai, Mymensingh and in one school in Korail, Dhaka’s biggest slum. After the pilot period proved to be a success, the government officially launched the program and called for it to reach 20 million primary school students across the country.
So far, the success has been great.
“It’s unbelievable how self-confident the children can become,” added Safiqul. “Even parents are having a great experience, watching their children have access to information they are unable to provide them.”
He added: “We are hoping children will also show more eagerness to learn.”
