The importance of learning assessment

BHP Director John Richards has been working with Bangladeshi colleagues proposing reforms to the country’s education system. Following joint publication of a textbook, “Political Economy of Education in South Asia”, John contributed to a recent essay in a prominent Dhaka newspaper. The essay covers all aspects of an agenda for education reform aimed at building an equitable, inclusive and quality education system for all.

Among many other recommendations, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, the lead author, writes: “One of the priorities should be a broad assessment of primary-level students' ability to read and do basic arithmetic, and actions based on the assessment to reach these targets.” This has been a major focus of BHP expectations for the primary school that we support through the Oasis for Posterity NGO. You can read about the latest assessment and follow-up actions in earlier editions of this blog.

Improving learning outcomes

John Richards with Bluebell students March 2024

BHP’s director John Richards and adviser Shahidul Islam recently wrote an editorial for Dhaka’s leading English-language newspaper. In “Education for most Indians is still a ‘bust.' What about Bangladesh?”, they write, “The first step in improving schools in India – and other South Asian countries – is to acknowledge the severity of the problem…. We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach will fail. As such, whichever approaches are taken, community leaders and other stakeholders need to agree on one non-negotiable agenda: improving learning outcomes…. The purpose of evaluation and assessment is not to compare one school with another. Instead, evaluations should aim for knowledge mobilisation and policy advocacy at every level, while keeping all stakeholders informed.” You can read about recent evaluations of Bluebell and OIST students’ performance in earlier blog posts. Both groups performed better than most local schools, and we are hoping to improve further.

Supporting Public Health

Immunization program at Bluebell School

A recent New York Times story about eradication of polio touches on BHP activities in two ways. First, in collaboration with local Rotary groups, BHP volunteers supporting the IUBAT College of Nursing have participated in community immunization campaigns near the university.  These events focus on immunization of children from “ultra-poor” families in nearby slums who do not attend school. In the rural village where Oasis for Posterity operates, immunization campaigns supported by Rotary and BHP provide vaccination for students attending Bluebell School as well as other local children.

MPH students IUBAT spring 2024

The second way that we are supporting disease control in Bangladesh is through the Master of Public Health program that we have helped to develop at IUBAT. While polio is no longer circulating in Bangladesh, the students are learning how to organize community campaigns for other infectious diseases. They must understand the many processes involved such as acquiring, storing and transporting vaccine products; engaging community volunteers and participating sites; communicating with parents and local leaders. A third batch of students, mostly nurses and doctors, will enroll in the MPH program this summer. BHP volunteers will continue developing the program and teaching courses as visiting faculty.