Banglabari–PHALS Education Program for marginalized children at Ramu Upazila in Cox’s Bazar
Project Background
The Banglabari–PHALS Education Program is a collaborative initiative between Banglabari (Belgium) and Program for Helpless and Lagged Society (PHALS), Bangladesh aimed at ensuring uninterrupted access to quality primary education for marginalized children in remote communities of Ramu Upazila, Cox's Bazar.
The program was launched following the transfer of two long-established community primary schools and two pre-primary schools previously supported by Dakbhanga Belgium. From March 2026, PHALS assumed responsibility for implementing and managing the education program, while Banglabari provides financial and technical support.
Goal
To improve access to inclusive, quality primary education and create a safe, child-friendly learning environment for marginalized children, enabling them to complete primary education and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for a better future.
Project Duration
Initial Phase: March 2026 – December 2026 (10 months)
Subject to successful implementation and mutual agreement, the partnership is expected to continue through 2030.
Project Location
Ramu Upazila, Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh
Target Communities:
Moiskhum
Dakbhanga
Target Beneficiaries
The program provides free education to approximately 382 children including:
218 students at Moiskhum Osman Sarwar Primary School
101 students at Dakbhanga Non-Government Primary School
63 children in two Pre-primary Schools (Monirjhill Navid Alam Pre-Primary School and Villagerpara Rawson Sarwar Pre-Primary School)
The program promotes equal participation of Girls and Boys, maintaining approximately 50% Girls and 50% Boys enrollment.
Key Components
The Banglabari–PHALS Education Program focuses on:
Operating two primary schools and two pre-primary schools six days a week.
Delivering quality primary education from Pre-primary to Class V.
Recruiting and supporting qualified teachers and school staff.
Providing annual school uniforms and textbooks.
Supplying exercise books and educational learning materials.
Awarding merit-based stipends to outstanding students.
Organizing sports, cultural events, annual picnic and other extracurricular activities.
Conducting teacher training and professional development.
Strengthening parent engagement through regular parent meetings.
Maintaining school facilities and creating safe, child-friendly learning environments.
Ensuring effective project monitoring, financial accountability, and quality assurance.
Project Budget
The initial project budget for March–December 2026 is BDT 6,400,590 financed by Banglabari, Belgium.
The budget supports:
Teacher and staff salaries
Educational materials and student support
School operations and maintenance
Teacher capacity development
Monitoring, evaluation, and auditing
Program visibility and administration
Implementation Approach
PHALS implements the program in close collaboration with school management committees, parents, local government representatives, and community leaders to ensure effective school management and community ownership.
The project follows strong principles of:
Child safeguarding and protection
Gender equality and inclusion
Transparency and financial accountability
Community participation
Quality education and continuous improvement
Expected Outcomes
The Banglabari–PHALS Education Program is expected to:
Ensure uninterrupted access to quality education for marginalized children.
Increase student enrollment, attendance, and retention.
Improve learning outcomes through qualified teachers and enhanced teaching practices.
Strengthen community participation in education.
Provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all children.
Contribute to the long-term educational development of underserved communities in Cox's Bazar.
Through this partnership, Banglabari and PHALS are committed to empowering children with education, creating opportunities for lifelong learning and building stronger, more resilient communities.