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Early Childhood Education: Its status in Bangladesh. M. Nazmul Haq Professor, University of Dhaka Bangladesh. Background of ECCE. Early childhood start from the beginning of conception and continuing up to age eight.
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Early Childhood Education:Its status in Bangladesh M. Nazmul Haq Professor, University of Dhaka Bangladesh
Background of ECCE • Early childhood start from the beginning of conception and continuing up to age eight. • But the name and range of early childhood searvice varies according to different stakeholders • In line with DFA and EFA goals Bangladesh adopted the term as Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). • The issue came into the focus after the submission of Education Commission Report 2003 and also from the PRSP document published in 2005.
Background of ECCE (cont.) • Before the emergence of ECCE there was a baby class or pre-one grade in large number of primary schools. • Later on this idea of baby class was accepted by government as ECCE. • Government has now authorized some NGOs to deliver and support ECCE through government and non-government primary schools. • The overall scope of ECCE in Bangladesh is limited to children of 3-5 years of age and is provided through formal and non-formal primary schools.
Statistics of ECCE • At present nearly 15% of children aged 3 – 5 years are attending some form of ECD classes. • Over 26,000 primary schools have ECD class • Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA) run ECD classes through home based learning centers. • UNICEF support some ECD centers in the remote hill districts through NGOs. • More than 150 NGOs operate ECD centers in the country in fragmented way.
Situation of PPE children in the country (in 000) If 15% of this children are being served now then what Would happen for the rest ? If current rate of implementation of is maintained then 5.87 million will remain out of the programme ?
Types of ECCE Programme • Basically there are two types of ECCE programme. • School based programme • Community based programme • School based programme will take care of 5 year old children. • Community based programme will take care of 3-5 year old children.
Operational Strategies • The present early childhood education is now implemented in the form of baby class or Pre-Primary Education (PPE). • The PPE will work under the coordination of MOPME. • The planning, implementation and monitoring will be done by DPE. • The PPE will be implemented by NGOs, CBOs, and private organizations under direct supervision of government.
Operational Strategies (cont.) • It is suggested to maintain a uniform curriculum for all the PPE classes. • NCTB would prepare all the learning materials. • Training to PPE teachers will be provided by government by involving both government and other non-government organizations.
Opportunities • ECCE programme is now focussed by government • PPE framework is developed and approved by the government (MOPME) • Development of curriculum framework for under 3 is now in progress (MOWCA) • Large number of NGOs have come forward to undertake ECCE programme
Challenges • Only a small portion of 3 – 5 year old children is considered • Highly critical age group 0 – 3 is not considered for ECCE • Largely poor and disadvantaged community children are still unsearved • Lack of community motivation for ECCE • Following a national standard for ECCE • Monitoring and supervision of ECCE programme • Finally, resource mobilization for the programme