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Analysing Bottlenecks to Equal Participation in Primary Education in Bangladesh: An Equity Perspective

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Engaging in Educational Research

Part of the book series: Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects ((EDAP,volume 44))

Abstract

Bangladesh has made significant progress in expanding access to primary education, presumably in terms of enrolment, after it became signatory to the 1990 Education for All goals. However, the quantitative gains in enrolment have been counterbalanced by poor-quality education, making the system largely ineffective in ensuring learning for all. Furthermore, gains in the access and quality axis captured in national averages often mask disparities in school participation of children coming from different segments of the society. Drawing from literature available in the public domain and analysing secondary data related to measures of access and participation, this study analysed key participation gaps. The analysis found manifold layers of inequality that a child is likely to experience during schooling based on her/his age, gender, readiness, ability/disability, ethnicity, geographical location, socioeconomic background and parental awareness. Identification of children remaining out-of-school has been further explained by analyses of sociocultural, economic and pedagogical determinants. The study highlights policy and programmatic choices that may lead to more equal educational participation by reducing equity gaps.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Labour Organization Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Laila Farhana Apnan Banu

  2. Institute of Education and Research, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

    Goutam Roy

  3. Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Md. Shahriar Shafiq

Authors
  1. Laila Farhana Apnan Banu
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  2. Goutam Roy
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  3. Md. Shahriar Shafiq
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laila Farhana Apnan Banu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Raqib Chowdhury

  2. Monash Centre for Scholarship in Health Education (MCSHE), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Mahbub Sarkar

  3. Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Foez Mojumder

  4. Institute of Education and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    M Moninoor Roshid

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Banu, L.F.A., Roy, G., Shafiq, M.S. (2018). Analysing Bottlenecks to Equal Participation in Primary Education in Bangladesh: An Equity Perspective. In: Chowdhury, R., Sarkar, M., Mojumder, F., Roshid, M. (eds) Engaging in Educational Research. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 44. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0708-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0708-9_3

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