Development of Education in Rural Bangladesh Post-1971: Challenges and Transformations


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 :

  1. M. Ahmed, Educational Reforms in Bangladesh: Successes and Challenges, Dhaka: University Press Limited, 2009.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
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  15. 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.

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