Authors :
Nelofar Yesmin; Md Musa Hawlader; Md Tanvir Hossain
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4veu2242
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3h5fz9fa
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14613843
Abstract :
The education sector in rural Bangladesh has
undergone significant transformations since the country's
independence in 1971. This research explores the historical
and contemporary challenges and achievements in rural
education, focusing on access, quality, and equity. Post-
1971, the government prioritized primary education as
part of broader nation-building efforts, supported by
initiatives such as the Universal Primary Education
program and collaboration with NGOs. Despite progress
in literacy rates and school enrollment, rural areas face
persistent challenges, including teacher shortages,
infrastructural deficits, and socioeconomic barriers like
poverty and gender disparity. This paper examines key
reforms, including the Education Policy of 2010 and digital
education initiatives, alongside community-based
interventions that have addressed rural-urban divides.
The study highlights the impact of educational
advancements on rural socio-economic mobility and
gender empowerment while critiquing gaps in policy
implementation. By synthesizing historical data,
government reports, and academic studies, this research
underscores the critical need for sustainable, inclusive
strategies to bridge educational inequities and promote
long-term rural development. The findings offer valuable
insights for policymakers, educators, and development
practitioners working to enhance rural education systems
in Bangladesh and other developing nations. This research
contributes to understanding how rural education shapes
national progress, emphasizing the importance of targeted
investments and grassroots participation in overcoming
challenges.
Keywords :
Rural Education, Enrollment Rates, Gender Parity Educational Challenges, Education Reforms.
References :
- M. Ahmed, Educational Reforms in Bangladesh: Successes and Challenges, Dhaka: University Press Limited, 2009.
- M. H. S. Hossain, "The Role of NGOs in Promoting Education in Rural Bangladesh: A Case Study of BRAC," International Journal of Educational Development, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 119-126, 2015.
- M. H. F. Rahman, "Gender Disparities in Education in Bangladesh: The Case of Rural Schools," Journal of Educational Research, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 71-85, 2016.
- S. R. A. Islam, "Digital Education in Rural Bangladesh: An Emerging Trend," Journal of Information Technology Education, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 523-539, 2018.
- Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), "Bangladesh Education Statistics 2018-2019," Ministry of Planning, Dhaka, 2019.
- Ministry of Education, Bangladesh, "National Education Policy 2010 and Its Impact on Rural Education," Ministry of Education, Dhaka, 2020.
- UNESCO, "Education for All 2015: Bangladesh Country Report," 2015. [Online]. Available: https://www.unesco.org/en/education.
- World Bank, "Bangladesh: Education for the 21st Century: A Study of Rural Education Development," World Bank Group, Washington, D.C., 2014.
- M. A. S. Chowdhury, "Improving Education in Rural Bangladesh: Challenges and Strategies," Journal of Educational Development, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 32-44, 2012.
- K. A. T. C. Toufique, "NGOs and Education in Bangladesh: Successes and Failures," Development in Practice, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 35-47, 2002.
- World Bank, "Bangladesh: Education Sector Strategy Support Program (ESSP) Mid-Term Review Report," World Bank, Dhaka, 2019.
- T. S. M. Rahman, "Education in Rural Bangladesh: Gender, Access, and Opportunities," Asia Pacific Education Review, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 341-358, 2017.
- M. A. A. R. Khan, " Innovative Approaches to Rural Education in Bangladesh: A Case Study of Technology Integration," International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 200-214, 2020.
- R. H. M. Amin, "Impact of Female Stipend Program on Girls’ Education in Rural Bangladesh," Bangladesh Journal of Education Policy, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1-18, 2011.
- BRAC, "Annual Report 2020: Education and Empowerment," 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.brac.net/.
The education sector in rural Bangladesh has
undergone significant transformations since the country's
independence in 1971. This research explores the historical
and contemporary challenges and achievements in rural
education, focusing on access, quality, and equity. Post-
1971, the government prioritized primary education as
part of broader nation-building efforts, supported by
initiatives such as the Universal Primary Education
program and collaboration with NGOs. Despite progress
in literacy rates and school enrollment, rural areas face
persistent challenges, including teacher shortages,
infrastructural deficits, and socioeconomic barriers like
poverty and gender disparity. This paper examines key
reforms, including the Education Policy of 2010 and digital
education initiatives, alongside community-based
interventions that have addressed rural-urban divides.
The study highlights the impact of educational
advancements on rural socio-economic mobility and
gender empowerment while critiquing gaps in policy
implementation. By synthesizing historical data,
government reports, and academic studies, this research
underscores the critical need for sustainable, inclusive
strategies to bridge educational inequities and promote
long-term rural development. The findings offer valuable
insights for policymakers, educators, and development
practitioners working to enhance rural education systems
in Bangladesh and other developing nations. This research
contributes to understanding how rural education shapes
national progress, emphasizing the importance of targeted
investments and grassroots participation in overcoming
challenges.
Keywords :
Rural Education, Enrollment Rates, Gender Parity Educational Challenges, Education Reforms.