The Government of Bangladesh has made significant progress towards enrollment of children in the school. According the government source the percentages of the enrollment in school are now almost 100%. In terms of access, the high enrolment rates achieved for both boys and girls do not yet equate to covering all the children in Bangladesh. According the BIDS research report, still one fourth children are out of school throughout the country. High drop out rates are still one of the major challenges for ensuring education for all. Beside their enrollment in school, it is also important to ensure the retention of learners and completion of the primary cycle.
For achieving this goal CAMPE has taken an initiative to run awareness campaigns in 70 different areas at the local level on “Enrollment Retention and Completion (ERC)” using various popular communication tools like Rickshaw rally, cultural program, miking (announcement through loud speakers in the area), airing of TV spot through local level cable network, court yard sessions etc. The locations were selected after considering the rate of literacy and drop out. Representatives from local government, civil society and other relevant stakeholders were drawn into the program to make it more effective.
Since “Jatra” folk theater is one of the most popular communication tool in this region four “Jatrapala” were organized in the different areas of Jaipurhat, Manikgonj Sirajgonj and Dinajpur districts to motivate people to send their children to school. Four more “Jatrapala” will be staged in collaboration with Bangladesh Jatra Shilpo Unnyan Parishad named “Ma- Mati- Manush” and “Meghe Dhaka Tara” in the different areas of Natore, Mymensingh, Chapainawagonj and Feni districts. It is expected that the campaign message will reach to 50000 people.
