NGOs call for involving local govt institutions to success of PEDP

---

A group of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) suggested their involvement, that of the local government institutions and the civil society in the development of primary education under the PEDP-II, reports UNB.
Briefing newsmen at the Reporters Unity in the city Saturday they expressed concern at the declining trend of quality of and access to primary education in the country.
PEDP-II is a macro plan (2003-09) of primary education sector with a special focus to improve the quality of and access to primary education by extending opportunities to all.
More than 36 per cent of Tk 49.33 billion (4933 crore) plan was financed by development agencies and the rest by the government. It was implemented by the Primary Education Directorate.
Representatives of NGOs also expressed concern that the quality of primary education has declined despite huge expenditure under the plan. Statistics show that the dropout rate increased to 47 per cent in 2006 from the base of 33 per cent in 2002.
Those represented at the press briefing on 'Grassroots Review on PEDP-II Implementation' were Advancing Public Interest Trust (APIT), Bangladesh Association of Community Education (BACE), Bottala Foundation, Coastal Association for Social Transformation Trust (COAST), Esho Desh Gorhi (EDG), Interaction, National Forum of Organisations working with Disabled (NFOWD), Noakhali Rural Development Society (NRDS), Other Vision Communication (OVC), Sabalamby Unnayan Samity (SUS), Solidarity, The Innovators, Uttaran, WAVE Foundation and Zabarang Kalyan Samity (ZKS).
Sabbir Bin Shams of APIT said the net enrolment of children in primary schools decreased to 93 per cent in 2005 from 97.3 per cent in 2002. Children with disabilities, ethnic minorities, hardcore families, remotest areas and vulnerable situations were kept excluded from the PEDP II.
He stressed the need for decentralisation of power to ensure quality education in primary schools. Decentralisation is a major component of PEDP-II but little progress has been achieved so far.
COAST executive director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury and Coordinator of Advocacy for Quality Primary Education Jibon Dev Shyamal were present, among others, on the occasion.