School Capacity the Neglected Paradigm in EFA Movement

Abstract

Bangladesh has achieved the target of increased enrollment with gender parity (97.65%). However reports show that the quality of education is still poor and that the dropout rate has increased from 47.2% in 2005 to 50.5% in 2007 indicating major future challenges (see school census information on the primary education dropout rate in Government Primary Schools (GPS) and in Registered Non-Government Primary Schools (RNGPS)” (DPE2009, pg VI). This study evaluates the effectiveness of the National Plan of Action II (2003-2015) and identifies the major factors that may be hindering school retention and quality at the primary level in Bangladesh. The analysis used the method of document analysis, policy documents issued by the government of Bangladesh and statistical reports from UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. The School Capacity Model was used as a conceptual framework. The analysis shows that a focus on increasing school enrollment without building school capacity is a barrier to achieving the goals of retention and quality. Bangladesh needs to build the capacity of its schools and school personnel to meet the challenges imposed by increased school enrollment.