Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN)
Mohammad Mohsin
Early Childhood Development Specialist
UNICEF, Bangladesh
&
Member, Executive Committee, BEN
1
Bangladesh ECD Network:
An Introduction
Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN) is a forum of
government,
non-government,
academic,
professional and UN agencies including
development partners engaged in promoting
ECD in Bangladesh.
2
Inception of the Network
• Initiative was taken in 2002 to form a Network of
ECD stakeholders in Bangladesh with the support
from UNICEF-Dhaka as an activity of the national
ECD project implemented by Bangladesh Shishu
Academy (the national academy for children)
• Fifteen other developing organizations were
active partners of this initiative
• They identified ECD stakeholders over the
country through a survey
Current Members
232 organizations working in the field of ECD in
Bangladesh.
3
Goal of the Network
The overall goal of BEN is to encourage and
support the governmental, non-governmental,
national and international organizations and
partners and other relevant actors in their
commitment and investment in ECD in Bangladesh
4
Key Objectives of the Network
• To advocate for ECD with policymakers and
stakeholders
• To promote public awareness
• To strengthen ECD capacity in Bangladesh
• Support the establishment of a solid knowledge base
and organisational culture on ECD
• Sharing information & assist ECD stakeholders to
gain access to new information and knowledge on
ECD; and
• Develop generic guidelines
5
Executive Committee of the Network
Consists of the Chairperson , the Vice Chairpersons, the
Treasurer, the Member Secretary,
and Committee
Members - elected periodically to serve for a period of 3
years.
Current Executive Committee Members: 24
• Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, GoB
• Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, GoB
• National NGO
• Local NGO
• UN Organization
• International NGO
• Academic Institutions
6
The Secretariat
A secretariat has been established to support
the network under supervision of the Executive
Committee. In order to ensure the
sustainability and continuity of the secretariat,
the ECD Network secretariat has been located
at the Institute of Educational Development,
BRAC University
7
BEN Regional Hub
To facilitate easy communication and better access between the
regions and BEN members, nine regional hubs across the country
have been formed.
No. of BEN
members in
the Region
15
No.
Region
Responsible Host Organization
1.
Barisal
Speed Trust
2.
Chittagong
Shongshoptaque
3.
Chittagong Hill Tract Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP)
01
4.
Dhaka
Dhaka Ahsania Mission
79
5.
Khulna
Jagoroni Chakra Foundation
35
6.
Netrokona
Shabolombi Unnayan Samity (SUS)
11
7.
Rajshahi
ALWO
26
8.
Rangpur
RDRS Bangladesh
36
9.
Sylhet
FIVDB
09
Total BEN Members
20
232
8
Initiatives of BEN for Advocacy
Knowledge and innovation sharing sessions
9
BEN Website
www.ecd-bangladesh.net
10
BEN Directory
11
BEN Logo
12
ECD Theme Song
13
Folder
14
Sticker
15
Poster
16
Banner
& Festoon
17
Newsletter
18
BEN Progress
Report
19
Desk Calendar
20
BEN with Government
in Policy Development
Operational Framework
for Pre-Primary
Education
BEN had a significant role
in formulating the policy
and operational framework
for pre-primary education
which was approved by
MoPME in March 2008.
21
GO-NGO Collaboration Guideline
BEN formulated GO/NGO Collaboration Guidelines
following the approved Operational Framework on
Pre-Primary Education. The Guidelines have been
approved by the Ministry of Primary and Mass
Education in June 2011.
GO-NGO Collaboration Implementation Plan
In 2012, the Government has approved a GO/NGO
collaboration implementation plan which will facilitate
collaboration between Government and NonGovernment organizations in Pre-Primary education
in Bangladesh.
22
Comprehensive ECCD Policy Framework
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA)
initiated the preparation of a comprehensive Early
Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) policy in
Bangladesh, as part of the UNICEF supported ELCD
Project. BEN’s role has been instrumental in drafting the
policy document along with other stakeholders. The
policy document is in its final stage to be approved by
the cabinet.
National Children Policy 2010
BEN contributed to the National Children Policy 2010
by giving feedback in the Seminar on the policy by
forming a group from BEN Executive Committee to
provide formal feedback.
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ELDS (Early Learning
Development Standards)
Document
 Developed by a technical team
with the representation of
Government and BEN
 Shared with the professionals
from different disciplines
 Shared in the Inter-Ministerial
workgroup
 Validation is due and will be
done through a technical
expert group.
24
Interim Package on Pre-Primary
Curriculum
BEN was closely involved in
preparing an Interim Curriculum
Package (2010-2011) for preprimary. This interim curriculum of
the National Curriculum and
Textbook Board (NCTB) is under
use now by the Directorate of
Primary Education (DPE) untill a
new modified package is in place
by 2013.
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National Pre-Primary Curriculum
BEN has an active participation in the Curriculum
working group led by National Curriculum and
Textbook Board (NCTB) in formulating the National
Pre-Primary Curriculum as part of the Third Primary
Education Development Program (PEDP3)- 20112016. Through continuous participation and
feedback BEN has played a significant role in the
development of the National Pre-Primary Curriculum
26