Dhaka: Standard Chartered Bangladesh has donated 25 decommissioned laptops to the non-governmental organization Friendship to bolster secondary education and digital learning for students residing in the climate-vulnerable northern char regions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this donation is part of a broader healthcare and education partnership between Standard Chartered Bangladesh and Friendship, initiated in December 2025. The initiative aims to assist students living in char areas to continue their secondary education, develop digital skills, and establish connections with the wider world.
Children in the sedimentary river islands, known as chars, particularly in the northern districts of Kurigram and Gaibandha, face significant educational challenges. Frequent flooding, river erosion, and limited infrastructure disrupt schooling, contributing to low literacy levels and high dropout rates, especially among girls.
Since the launch of the partnership, the program has made progress across five schools. Starlink connectivity has been established to provide internet access, supporting digital learning. Additionally, pedagogy and subject-specific teacher training is ongoing. Improvements have been noted in student attendance and annual pass rates, while dropout rates have gradually declined.
With the network infrastructure now in place, the donated laptops will enable students to access educational materials and support technology-enabled learning. Interim Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, Enamul Huque, acknowledged the partnership's progress in expanding digital access and improving learning outcomes for students in the northern chars. He emphasized that the donation of laptops marks the next phase of their commitment to enhancing digital learning opportunities.
Runa Khan, the Founder and Executive Director of Friendship, highlighted that providing a laptop to a child living on a remote char is more than just supplying a machine. It opens a window to knowledge and connects them to a world beyond their geographical constraints, offering confidence, dignity, and hope for a future beyond their circumstances.
Standard Chartered and Friendship have collaborated since 2016 to support marginalized communities in health, education, agriculture, and the environment. Both organizations remain dedicated to expanding access to quality secondary education and equipping young people in climate-vulnerable communities with skills for a more resilient future.