Basic Literacy Project (64 District)

The study was carried out in 16 Upazilas across the country from January to April 2019 to monitor the overall progress of the ‘Basic Literacy Project (64 districts)’. The main objective of the in-depth monitoring was to review the current situation and progress of the project for a comparative evaluation towards achieving the project objective i.e., increase the literacy rate according to the Sustainable Development Goals, Education for All, National Action Plan-2, Sixth Five-Year Plan and National Education Policy. This intensive monitoring study reviewed the progress of real purpose by reviewing the current status and progress of the project, where the main components of the project had been considered. A systematic methodological approach has been followed for conducting the study. The probability sampling technique was used for collecting quantitative data through 800 surveys whereas 91 Key Informant Interviews, 16 Focus Group Discussions, 1 local level workshop and 80 physical observations were conducted to gather qualitative data. The study has found that the people were enthusiastic to receive education as well as livelihood skill development training. Therefore, the study argued that the literacy rate might have increased slightly within the given period of this project. Nonetheless, the study has also identified various problems and obstacles, which may impede achieving the desired goals. In the end, the study came up with some recommendations to make the project implementation more efficient. The study recommended to emphasis on skill development (e.g., food processing, sewing, animal feeding) and long-term opportunities; to encourage learners to employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship; extension of the literacy course-length; increasing manpower in the monitoring sector; organizing different programs; offering attractive prizes among students and developing textbooks for the students of minority ethnic groups of three hill districts in their mother tongue.