Comprehensive ECCD Policy in Bangladesh: How it evolves with GO-NGO Collaboration

South Asian Right to Education & ECED meeting in Karachi, Pakistan

Sept. 2014 Mahmuda Akhter,Executive Director

Institute of Child & Human Development

Member Secretary

Bangladesh ECD Network

BANGLADESH

Total area : 147,570 sq.kilometres Population : about 160 million Population growth rate : 1.37%

Density per sq. Kilometre: 1205

Literacy rate: 59.82%

Per capita income : US$ 1044

Urban population :27 % , Rural population : 73%

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has met some important targets of MDGs including reducing poverty gap ratio, attaining gender parity at primary and secondary education, reduction in under-five mortality rate

Bangladesh identified as one of the 'Highlighted 18' countries that made rapid headway in human development according to the HDR 2013

The Journey of ECCD in Bangladesh

1972: Post war rehabilitation 1974: Kudrat E khuda Education Commission Report 1980: Informal baby class1984: Activity book by NCTB 1992: a group of NGO initiated structured ECCD 1994: National Children policy No collaboration with govt. No govt. initiatives Up to 2000 : Only NGOs Development was totally ignored in Health service delivery Up to 2000 : Only NGOs

2013: Bangladesh update on ECCD

Course on ECD incorporated in to graduate and post graduate medical and nursing curriculum Module on ECD incorporated in to Health and Family welfare front line workers training curriculum ELDS developed

ECCD issues incorporated in different policies

Service delivery model developed for different age groups

Awareness raised and huge demand created among parents and communities

2013: Bangladesh update on ECCD

Operational framework for PPE approved and it is mainstreamed through primary education system (63000 schools) by the National Education policy 2011.

National PPE Curriculum, service delivery standard and materials developed and in 2014, 3.5 million children will receive these materials free of cost every year.

Teacher training curriculum developed for PPE and resource allocated to train 38000 teachers

Govt. allocation for PPE increased from 0 to 287 million US$ for five years

A Strong National Network on ECD Established

And finally, all the pieces of the puzzle together;

The Comprehensive Early Childhood Care and Development Policy

Approved on November 4,2013

What happened in the last 12 years ?

Platform for collaborationGovernment-UNICEF national Project on ECD, 2001 under ministry of Women and Children Affairs

Windows of opportunityInvolvement of I/NGOs in this project

EngagementTechnical support for developing model ( Plan International) Service delivery (BRAC, GS)

Demonstration of modelCrucial for policy makers to understand ECD service delivery Getting a sit at the policy tableBasis for frequent interaction

Multiple Interest Groups Evolved

Interest also increased among other ministries likeMinistry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

Networks I/NGO

UN

Donors

Institutes

Government

Encouraging EnvironmentLevel and types of engagement increasedNumber of organization increased Demand of Coordination raised

Capturing the momentum: Milestone of SuccessA national Network on ECD (BEN) established in 2005

Uniqueness of the networkGovernment, donors, UN agencies, I/NGOs, Institutes, community based NGOs, networks and private agencies are member

Comes out as strong collective voice for ECD in Bangladesh

Technical capacity through member organizations

Strength

Government is part of this Network Distribution of mandate Structured multi level engagement Technical capacity

In each and every committees/working groups of government at every level, NGO’s representation is significant and government always welcome their technical expertise

This collaboration was the key for success from 2000 to 2013

BANGLADESH is a good example of GO-NGO collaboration in the field of ECD

GOAL Irrespective of ethnicity, geographical location, gender, religion, socio-economic condition, ability and special needs, all children will get full care, development, protection and survival support for developing strong foundation for their life long development with equal importance

OBJECTIVES Preparation of pregnancy and pregnant mother Holistic need of young children in early ages Strong foundation for holistic development and school readiness Transition to primary education Reducing disparity and mainstreaming the issues of Children with disabilities marginalized and excluded groups

The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content

8 strategic principles

Holistic Approach Continuity of services Parenting Engagement & Ownership Age & Culturally Appropriate Inclusion Equality & Equity in Gender Life Cycle Approach

The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content

The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content

Strategies for Action

Following life cycle approach

Conception & pre-natal Birth to Age threeFour to below six and Six to Eight years

Separate sets of strategic actions for

Children with disabilities and Disadvantage children (marginalized and excluded)

The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content

Roles and Responsibilities identified for

15 ministries NGOs Private Sectors International Organizations

Standards

ELDS has been set as technical standard for ECCD programming

The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content

Implementation Strategy

Linked with National Council of Women and Child Development- NCWCD headed by Prime Minister

National level coordination committee headed by Minister

National Technical Committee with technical, professional and academic persons

Infrastructural development and expansion of line ministry and organizations Coordination up to lower level local government unit

Other important issues that policy covered Professional development

Social mobilization GO-NGO collaboration Research, Evaluation & Monitoring

Funding

Accountability

Scope for creating act and regulation

The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content

This policy will influence the life of more than

25 millions children

(from conception to 8 years) and their parents of Bangladesh in the areas of Health, Nutrition, Stimulation, Development, Education, Protection, Disaster Risk Management and so on…

Thank You