Bangladesh

Room to Read launched its work in Bangladesh in 2009 to help improve access to quality education and has since established a strong presence in the country as a trusted partner to the many government departments, including the Directorate of Primary Education and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education. To date, the government has adopted several of Room to Read’s approaches into national curricula and policies.

For example, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board of the Directorate of Primary Education invited Room to Read to help define standards and develop guidelines for textbook writers. Further, Room to Read-developed literacy and life skills-focused digital resources are available on government websites, such as a2i​, for teachers.

In Bangladesh, Room to Read implements two key programs: 

• Our Literacy Program: Room to Read provides local educators with the training and resources they need to ensure more students are more effectively learning learn how to read and write. Room to Read also equips schools to establish and maintain child-friendly classroom libraries, filled with colorful, local language books developed by local authors and illustrators, in partnership with Room to Read. 
   
• Our Girls’ Education Program: Room to Read supports secondary school students with mentorship and life skills workshops to help adolescents — especially girls — navigate the many challenges, biases and pressures they face, including the pressure to drop out of school early.