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 class
1984: 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 collaboration
Government-UNICEF national Project on ECD, 2001 under ministry
of Women and Children Affairs
Windows of opportunity
Involvement of I/NGOs in this project
Engagement
Technical support for developing model ( Plan International)
Service delivery (BRAC, GS)
Demonstration of model
Crucial for policy makers to understand ECD service delivery
Getting a sit at the policy table
Basis for frequent interaction
Multiple Interest Groups Evolved
Donors
Institutes
UN
I/NGO
Government
Networks
Interest also increased among other ministries like
Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Ministry of Primary and Mass Education
Encouraging Environment
Level and types of engagement increased
Number of organization increased
Demand of Coordination raised
Capturing the momentum: Milestone of Success
A national Network on ECD (BEN) established in 2005
Uniqueness of the network
Government, 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
BEN
Individual, NGO,INGO,UN,Donar,Institutes,Private sector,
University
MOWCA
Co-ordination, Quality, Standards, Framework CECCD Policy
and ELDS
MOPME (PPE in NEP 2011)
PPE Interim Curriculum and National Curriculum
Teacher training
PPE Mapping, Standards and Expansion plan
GO-NGO Collaboration and implementation plan
PPE Unit in DPE
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
The Policy- a Closer look to its features and content
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
Strategies for Action

Following life cycle approach
Conception & pre-natal
Birth to Age three
Four 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
The Policy- a Closer look to its features
and content
Other important issues that policy covered

Professional development

Social mobilization

GO-NGO collaboration

Research, Evaluation & Monitoring

Funding

Accountability

Scope for creating act and regulation
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