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Policy & Planning

Non-Formal Education Policy

Illiteracy and poverty, and abeyance of democratic values, institutions and norms are hindrances to participatory development and progress. The government recognizes that NFE, by expanding literacy and continuing education opportunities, especially to disadvantaged groups, can equip people with knowledge and skills to improve life and livelihood. The government looks upon NFE as a key element of the effort to offer lifelong learning opportunities and create a learning society in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The Government has emphasized the link between education and poverty reduction, removal of illiteracy and building human capital for national development. The Government priorities and goals are reflected in the periodic national development plans, Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), and the National Plan of Action for EFA, as well as various NFE projects with the support of development partners. Partnership building among all who can contribute, especially the role of NGOs & CBOs has been well recognized.

In May 2003, MOPME formed a National Task Force (NTF) headed by the Advisor to the Honourable Prime Minister for Primary and Mass Education, for the development of a National Policy Framework for NFE. The consultancy team, which assisted the NTF, submitted report to the NTF in June 2004, following a series of meetings and workshops. The proposed policy framework report for non-formal education in Bangladesh, prepared under the auspices of the National Task Force, presented the vision, mission, goal, objectives and scope of NFE and its potential clientele groups. As an input to discussions and consideration of policy and organizational framework, an analysis of effectiveness of erstwhile DNFE as an organizational entity was also undertaken. Both these reports were discussed in the final National Workshop held on 21July, 2004.

Definitions

Non-Formal Education : Non-formal education is a purposeful and systematically organized form of learning that generally occurs outside the formal educational institutions. It is designed to meet the learning needs of educationally disadvantaged persons of different ages and backgrounds, flexible in terms of organization, time and place and may cover basic and continuing educational programs to impart basic literacy, including life skills, work skills, general culture, and facilitates lifelong learning and enhancement of earning capabilities for poverty reduction. It ensures equity in access and human resource development, it may or may not follow a “ladder” system, and may be of varying duration.

Literacy : Literacy is the ability to read, understand, interpret, communicate and compute in verbal and written forms in varying contexts. It involves a continuum of learning that enables individuals to develop their potentials and knowledge base and to participate fully in community affairs and wider social and developmental context.

Continuing Education : Continuing education is the provision of opportunities for lifelong learning beyond basic education (literacy and primary education) in response to the needs of disadvantaged individuals and groups to enrich their socio-economic lives.

Vision, Mission, Goal, Objectives

Vision : In pursuance of the constitutional commitment to ensure educational opportunities for all citizens and to build a just and equal society, all citizens will have the opportunity to participate in education to fulfil their individual potential, be effective members of their family and community and be productive and responsible citizens, capable of facing the challenges of the 21st century.

Mission : To provide access to life-long learning opportunities for improving the quality of life of children, youth and adults including those with special needs and who have missed out formal education; and equip them with adequate knowledge, productive skill and life-skill through relevant and high quality learning opportunities, including literacy, basic education and continuing education programs.

Goal : To contribute to fulfilling EFA goals and alleviating poverty as spelled out in the National Plan of Action II, 2004-2015 and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), by creating a community-based network of learning centres, aimed at reducing illiteracy by at least 50% by 2015, extending opportunities for effective skill training and continuing education and creating lifelong learning opportunities.

Specific Objectives : With priority to children, adolescents and youth:

• Provide quality and relevant NFE programs and skill training which meet the assessed learning needs of the identifiable and potential clientele groups,
• Provide opportunities for individuals and groups of persons with learning and skills needs to develop self-reliant, productive and empowered citizens through engaging in income generating and life skills related activities,
• Establish a working mechanism of government, NGOs and broader civil society including the private sector for policy co-ordination, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation to reduce illiteracy, poverty and promote human resource development,
• Establish an organization for management and governance of NFE sub-sector, and
• Institute a decentralised operation system involving local bodies, NGOs, CBOs and communities including learners to ensure community ownership and sustainability of NFE program, structures and facilities for lifelong learning.

Download: Non-Formal Education (NFE) Policy