Research Reports (2005): Social Studies, Vol – XXXVIII

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/13230

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The wider social impacts of BRAC’s group-based lending in rural Bangladesh: group dynamics and participation in public life
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-03) Kabeer, Naila; Matin, Imran
This study was carried out as part of the Global Imp-Act Programme which brings around 30 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in 20 countries located in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Russia and Eastern Europe together with UK-based team of researchers with a view to developing and institutionalizing systems for monitoring social performance in the field of microfinance (www.imp-act.org). An explicit concern with impacts of their activities that went beyond individual clients and their households was expressed by a number of Imp-Act partners early on in the life of the programme and it was adopted as one of its specific subthemes. Most of the MFIs that expressed interest in exploring this category of impacts had an explicit concern with bringing about social change and many used their ‘group’ approach to purposively promote such change. BRAC was one such MFI.
Self-report and test discrepancy evidence from national literacy survey in Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-11) Nath, Samir Ranjan
This paper aims to explore the discrepancy between self-reported and test based literacy estimates. The Education Watch national literacy survey data of 2002 were used to do so, where literacy status of a nationally representative sample of 13, 145 persons was collected through the above two different methods. The findings revealed that the literacy rate generated through a literacy test was significantly lower than that found through self-report method. At the national level the amount of discrepancy was 9.5 percentage points. The level of discrepancy varied from one group of population to another. Discrepancy was more likely among the primary school educated rural females of age 15-24 years and less likely to never schooled and college educated urban males of age 25 years and above. This shows that literacy assessment through self-report method cannot be equally appropriate for all population. More risk especially due to over reporting occurred among those having some years of schooling. A question of quality of primary education also raised here. Considering the low quality of school education and increased enrollment in Bangladesh this paper suggests for a paper-pencil based literacy assessment rather than oral reporting.
Role of local elites and village level sanitation
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-12) Sharmin, Lammia
This study aimed to explore the role of local elites and associated factors that prevent or promote sanitation facilities to the poor. The study was conducted in five communities of tive villages of Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts. The three communities - Hazipara, Korollabechatari and Moulvipara of Jaldhaka/Nilphamari were selected for the role (active, non-active and newly formed) of Gram Shahayak Committee (GSC -a committee formed by the CFPR-TUP programme comprised of a group oflocal elites to facilitate the ultra poor). The other two communities selected were Babupara from Hatibandha and Balatari from Aditmari of Lalmonirhat district. Babupara was selected as 100 % sanitation community and Balatari as control community. Data were collected through qualitative approaches during February to April 2005. The study shows that all the five communities received local elite's support to some extent. The local elite's support was highest in communities with 100% sanitation and the active GSC. In different communities the factors were different which prevent the adoption of total sanitation. The preventing factors were lack of awareness, lack of land, sanitation as less prioritized issue, and poverty. In these five communities the factors associated with promoting sanitation are elite perception of disease and disease transmission, concept of ideal village with proper sanitation, notion of shame, purdah or just soaber kaj. In most cases the elites were providing help for sanitation through different local institutions. But, it was found that in most of the villages the local institutions were not being able to provide sanitation facility to the poor effectively.
Reaching primary education at the doorstep of the poor: the BRAC experience
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-10) Nath, Samir Ranjan
It is a review paper on BRAC education programme. Starting with a description of the country context of the initial days of the programme it describes how the programme was developed and implemented, and expended throughout the country using the gathered experiences. Impact of the programme, challenges faced and lesson learned were discussed afterwards.
Out of school children in the tea gardens and ethnic minority communities
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-11) Nath, Samir Ranjan; Yasmin, Rosie Nilufar; Shahjamal, Mirja M
Although many countries in the world have moved from compulsory primary education to compulsory secondary education and many increased the duration of primary and basic education from 4-5 years to more than six years, Bangladesh is still dealing with five years compulsory primary education. However, the strong commitment of the nation, has resulted in a gradual improvement in the situation regarding access to primary education and completing the full course. The improvements accelerated after the Jomtien initiative, where Bangladesh rightly responded to the international call for basic and primary education for all. Some affirmative actions taken by both the government and the non-governmental organisations made this improvement possible. However, at present, one in every five of the 6- I 5 years old children is out of school and nearly 30% of the enrolled children leave school before completing the full course of primary education. Gender parity, at the aggregate level, has been achieved in access to primary schooling. Tn spite of this scenario of hope at the national level, it has been noticed that the improvements have not been distributed equally among all sections of the population. There is urban-rural as well as district-wise variation. Other research on poverty and education show that the worst situation exists in char lands, the tea gardens, ethnic minorities, people living in extreme poverty, street children, the disabled, domestic workers, children working in factories, children in jails and brothels, and those involved in crime. In order to achieve the educational goals of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals) we must take care of the schooling of the children of above-mentioned groups. However, no study has looked deeply at each of the groups. This study for the first time looks at the situation of the out of school children in two sub-groups of population in Bangladesh. These are the people living in the tea gardens and the ethnic minorities in the country. Emphasis was given on estimating the volume of out of school children in the groups and their socioeconomic status, their workload at home and outside, and the ways they can be put back to school.
Needs of ethnic minority students for learning improvement in secondary schools
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-12) Kabir, Md. Mahbubul; Nath, Samir Ranjan
This study aimed to investigate the needs of ethnic minority students for learning improvement in secondary schools through an in-depth understanding of the factors affecting their poor performance. Findings reconfirmed the poor performance of ethnic minority students. An analysis of influential factors within and outside of school indicated that a weak foundation in Bangla language along with continuous economic crises, teachers' inefficient teaching methods and irregular attendance, parental disinterest, other responsibilities outside school, weak educational foundation in primary school stimulated and perpetuated a sub-standard performance in general. Support systems in place seemed to upgrade a few good platforms at the same time neglecting the vast majority of pupils. This study revealed prime needs of ethnic minority students for learning improvement to be: developing a good foundation in Bangla as a second language; raising the quality of classroom teaching and need-based curriculum reinforcement for slow learners; sensitising teachers to issues specific to ethnic pupils; eradicating irregularities in the testing system; creating a space to facilitate increased interaction between ethnic and Bangali pupils; and developing a comprehensive support system for general and slow learners.
Need assessment of a short course on educational evaluation and assessment
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-12) Roy, Goutam; Nath, Samir Ranjan
The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of a new course on educational evaluation and assessment. In-depth interviews were carried out with a checklist prepared through field trials. Number of respondents was 19, 16 from the non-government organisations and three from the government education department. Junior, mid and senior levels officials were in the sample. The findings reveal that short certificate courses are needed on educational evaluation and assessment. Both the government and non-government education officials were interested in it. Duration of the course was suggested to be of four weeks. Involvement of high officials of the ministry and the NGO leaders in the course advisory board should he considered seriously.
A study on BRAC's Palli Shamaj
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005-09) Rashid, Ahmed Tareq; Alim, Md. Abdul
Palli Shamaj is a ward-level organization consisting of representatives from several village organizations of BRAC and outside poor members. The study aims to depict a regional density mapping of geographical distribution of Palli Shamaj and their activities and the number of elected Palli Shaamaj members in union parishad elections. Data were collected from 9,440 Palli Shamaj from 55 regions of BRAC. The density mapping, measured at different administrative levels, shows that Rajshahi division not only has the highest number of Palli Shamaj but also the highest density in proportion to the number of wards. No significant regional variation was observed with regard to Palli Shamaj activities in acquiring different types of government services (VGF and VGD cards, old-age and widow allowances) as well as participation in social activities such as participation in shalish, conflict resolution, preventing polygamy, and early marriage. It was found that Palli Shamaj members have won 13% and 1.6% of the total reserved and general seats respectively. The findings indicate that there is a link between activities of Palli Shamaj and the participation of Palli Shamaj members in local government elections.

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