Dhaka:Plan International, an international development organization, has expressed its interest in collaborating with the Bangladesh government to enhance the quality of primary education. The organization aims to develop children's foundational skills and creative thinking, expand educational opportunities for girls, and prevent child marriage.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Reena Ghelani, Global Chief Executive Officer of Plan International, conveyed this interest during a meeting with State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj at the Secretariat. During the meeting, Ghelani commended the State Minister's leadership and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of primary education in Bangladesh.
Ghelani noted that early childhood development, quality education, and the prevention of child marriage are among Plan International's top priorities. The organization intends to leverage its long-standing presence in Bangladesh and its global expertise to align its efforts with the government's development plans. In particular, Ghelani emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring that the benefits of education and development reach children and communities in marginalized areas.
State Minister Bobby Hajjaj highlighted that the primary objective of primary education is not merely to enroll children in schools but to ensure quality and effective learning for every child. The government is placing special emphasis on enabling students to acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills, while also cultivating critical thinking, creativity, and the competencies necessary for their future lives.
The discussion also addressed several key areas, including preventing girls from dropping out at the secondary level, ensuring safe and child-friendly school environments with separate sanitation and hygiene facilities, preventing child marriage, and empowering local communities and families to address the impacts of climate change.
Hajjaj also highlighted an initiative to integrate students' innovative ideas and solutions for local challenges into the policymaking process. The Plan International CEO added that the organization, which currently operates in 80 countries worldwide, is keen to expand its work on a larger scale in Bangladesh, focusing on education, child rights, the empowerment of girls, and the development of marginalized communities.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, along with Plan International Bangladesh's Country Director, Kabita Bose, and Director Nishat Sultana.