Preface
The preparation of a follow-up to the first National Plan of Action on EFA goals (NPA I: 1995) covered a period which saw ambitious new goals being adopted at both national and global levels. Globally, the MDGs were adopted at the Millenium Summit in 2000 and nationally, the PRS – Unlocking the Potential: National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction – was adopted in 2005 and a sector-wide programme – PEDP I – launched on basic education in 2003. The challenge of preparing NPA II was thus a twofold one: building on the achievements of NPA I and establishing the required synergy with MDG and PRS priorities. It is a challenge which the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has addressed with a great sense of purpose and departmental dedication.
Bangladesh has since independence placed the highest priority on the basic education of its citizens. A continuity of efforts have borne fruit in terms of significant increase in access to education, widespread social awareness on the value of basic education, and, innovations in delivery mechanisms which have earned global recognition. Indeed, the pioneering role of Bangladesh in initiating conditional cash transfers (CCT) as a new instrument to pursue social goals is by now universally recognized. The launching of the sector-wide programme Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-II) in 2003 marked a significant scaling up of government’s commitment to EFA goals. The completion of the NPA II thus is very timely in providing strategic continuity and guidance as Bangladesh embarks on the next stages in its efforts to ensure basic education for its citizens.
A stream of efforts have gone into the production of this important national document. I would like, in particular, to recognize the contribution of A. K. M. Shamsuddin, former Secretary MOPME, Shamima Ahmed, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry, and Mahbub Ahmed, former Joint Secretary, MOPME and currently Additional Secretary, Finance Division, Ministry of Finance for their guidance and unstinting efforts to take the NPA II preparation process forward. The primary draft of the document was prepared by N.I. Khan and a number of consultants. The ardous task of bringing all the perspectives and information together into a coherent final document fell to an editorial team led by Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, Executive Chairman, Power and Participation Research Centre, and included Khondaker Shakhawat Ali, Research Fellow, PPRC. Their contribution is sincerely acknowledged.
MOPME stands ready to take forward the strategic vision elaborated in NPA II and will pursue all relevant partnership opportunities including with NGOs, communities, civil society and development partners. We are confident that with our combined efforts, EFA goals will become a reality for Bangladesh within the stipulated time.
Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan
Secretary, MOPME