The urban-slum schools closed during pandemic need to reopen

The long-standing issue of inadequate education in urban slums has resurfaced in a more intense manner following the pandemic.

Numerous schools that had closed their doors during the pandemic have not reopened since then.

This, along with the financial limitations preventing children from rejoining schools, has compelled many youngsters to abandon their education.

Consequently, they find themselves engaged in labour work or early marriages, forfeiting the opportunity for classroom learning at an age when they should be preparing for a promising future.

The financial burden on low-income urban communities serves as a stark reminder that the costs associated with education significantly discourage children from enrolling in schools.

The NGO-managed schools have made some progress in tackling this crisis, yet they encounter formidable challenges due to funding shortages and uncertain operations.

Despite a considerable demand, the number of schools and learning centres in Dhaka’s slums has decreased after the pandemic.

Even the Bureau of Non-Formal Education, which offers a condensed primary education curriculum, has struggled to alter this situation.

Regrettably, the government tends to overlook the necessity of establishing schools in slums, often regarding these settlements as temporary and ignoring the fact that slums persist.

While NGO initiatives play a role in slum education, their operations conclude once their projects conclude.

Creating a unified database of requirements in collaboration with NGOs could help bridge this gap.

The ongoing education crisis in slums emerges from various factors, but it’s a battle we cannot afford to forfeit.

The repercussions extend to the prospects of these children, their families, and society in general.

We implore authorities and all stakeholders to take united action in addressing this predicament.

Bangladesh has deviated from the global commitment of “leave no one behind” in numerous objectives, with primary education being a prominent example.

Coordinated and persistent endeavors for mandatory primary education are essential to tackle the challenges posed by urban migration patterns and vulnerable regions prone to disasters.