Baseline Report: Empowering Children through Education (ECE) Project (Bangladesh, 2024)

The Empowering Children through Education (ECE) project, led by Save the Children in Bangladesh’s Kurigram and Jamalpur districts, seeks to improve foundational learning outcomes for primary school students (Grades I–V) and enhance teacher professional development. This baseline study, conducted in 2024, employed a quasi-experimental mixed-methods design to assess student competencies in Bangla, English, and Mathematics, alongside teacher capacity, motivation, and remedial teaching practices. Data were collected from 3,895 students, 223 assistant teachers, 79 headteachers, 134 classroom observations, and various stakeholders through surveys, diagnostic tests, interviews, FGDs, and KIIs.

Findings indicate high enrolment and attendance, but a decline in completion rates in higher grades. Alarmingly, only 10–22% of Grade V students met expected learning standards across core subjects. One-third of students were identified as “most vulnerable,” requiring targeted academic support. While teachers demonstrated adequate subject knowledge, gaps were evident in pedagogical skills, ICT integration, and confidence in delivering remedial education. Despite moderate-to-high levels of reported motivation and empowerment, mental health support for teachers was lacking. Parent-school engagement was limited, and EdTech resources remained underutilized.

The study recommends developing structured, grade- and subject-specific remedial education packages, enhancing parental involvement, implementing ICT-enabled teacher training, providing mental health support, and introducing recognition mechanisms to boost teacher motivation. Strengthening monitoring systems and optimizing EdTech use are critical to bridging learning gaps. Overall, the findings underscore the need for comprehensive, inclusive interventions to improve learning outcomes and teacher effectiveness within the ECE project areas.