Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programs

44 years of providing second-chance education and a linkage to better livelihood

Presented by: Zaki Hasan, CEO, UCEP Bangladesh (zaki.hasan@ucepbd.org) at:at

Asia Summit on Flexible Learning Strategies for Out-of-School Children, 24-26 February 2016, Bangkok, Thailand

We bring excluded

children/youth back to education

We ensure education for them in UCEP

schools

We develop their vocational skills in UCEP training

centers

We help in finding jobs

(self/wage) / apprenticeship

A country & a researchA social entrepreneur 56 boys to 56,000 children/youth1 district to 10 districts1 school to 65 schools/centers

Program Evolvement to Meet the Needs

ß Inception with ‘non-formal education’ with option for shelter and foodß Introduction of ‘vocational skills training’ to make impacts on

livelihoodß Introduction of ‘job-placement’ –search for ‘any job’ to ‘decent

employment’ ß Introduction of ‘community mobilization’ – important yet

underinvested ß Changes in ‘education expectancy’ and bridging ‘non-formal’ and

‘formal’ in general and technical education ß National educational achievements and changes in targeted grades ß Question of quality and introduction of ‘remedial program’ß Changes in vocational skills training toward ‘competency-based’

What worked & whyBrought a large number of never-enrolled/dropped-out children back to education - thanks to:

• Dedication of teachers and other workers of the organization• Community awareness activities• Proximity/mobility support• Linkage to employment• Flexible shift• Free of cost• Scope to get formal certification

What worked & whyHigh rate of employment (95%) of training graduates – thanks to:

• Dedication of instructors and other workers of the organization• Having a team for continuous relationship building with employers• Structured approach of engaging employers• Soft-skills development of UCEP graduates • Demand-driven courses • Scope to get formal certification• Apprenticeships

Key Issues, opportunities & strategies

• Urbanization, exclusion and country’s preparation• Demographic dividend opportunity• Economic as well as Social value creation • Financing ‘second-chance education’ & ‘vocational skills training’• Quality of education & training • Capacity of teachers, instructors and assessors