Resources / Addressing special needs of girls challenges in school- Bangaldesh

Summary

For most people, fulfilling children’s right to education ends in the provision of school buildings, teachers and learning materials that equip the child to read and write. The fact that a conducive learning environment goes beyond the mere provision of these, is often overlooked. There are many schools in Bangladesh with deplorable sanitary conditions, often with little  considerations for the special needs of girls.

This paper provides an overview of the situation in primary and secondary schools in Bangladesh, with special consideration of the challenges faced by girls. Several interventions by sector partners are also described. The author urges governments to take a second look at the place of water and sanitation in their educational policy. A conductive policy environment will ensure the much needed funds are directed towards meeting the challenges of addressing the special needs of girls in schools.