Early Childhood Development Resource Centre (ECDRC)

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Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN)
Mohammad Mohsin Early Childhood Development
Specialist UNICEF, Bangladesh Member, Executive
Committee, BEN
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Bangladesh ECD Network An Introduction
Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN) is a forum of
government, non-government, academic,
professional and UN agencies including
development partners engaged in promoting ECD in
Bangladesh.
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Inception of the Network

• Initiative was taken in 2002 to form a Network of
  ECD stakeholders in Bangladesh with the support
  from UNICEF-Dhaka as an activity of the national
  ECD project implemented by Bangladesh Shishu
  Academy (the national academy for children)
• Fifteen other developing organizations were
  active partners of this initiative
• They identified ECD stakeholders over the country
  through a survey

Current Members
232 organizations working in the field of ECD in
Bangladesh.
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Goal of the Network

• The overall goal of BEN is to encourage and
  support the governmental, non-governmental,
  national and international organizations and
  partners and other relevant actors in their
  commitment and investment in ECD in Bangladesh

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Key Objectives of the Network

• To advocate for ECD with policymakers and
  stakeholders
• To promote public awareness
• To strengthen ECD capacity in Bangladesh
• Support the establishment of a solid knowledge
  base and organisational culture on ECD
• Sharing information assist ECD stakeholders to
  gain access to new information and knowledge on
  ECD and
• Develop generic guidelines

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Executive Committee of the Network

• Consists of the Chairperson , the Vice
  Chairpersons, the Treasurer, the Member
  Secretary,  and Committee Members -  elected
  periodically to serve for a period of 3 years.
• Current Executive Committee Members 24
• Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, GoB
• Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, GoB
• National NGO
• Local NGO
• UN Organization
• International NGO
• Academic Institutions

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The Secretariat

• A secretariat has been established to support the
  network under supervision of the Executive
  Committee. In order to ensure the sustainability
  and continuity of the secretariat, the ECD
  Network secretariat has been located at the
  Institute of Educational Development, BRAC
  University

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BEN Regional Hub

• To facilitate easy communication and better
  access between the regions and BEN members, nine
  regional hubs across the country have been formed.

No. Region Responsible Host Organization No. of BEN members in the Region
  Barisal Speed Trust 15
2.  Chittagong Shongshoptaque 20
3.  Chittagong Hill Tract Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) 01
4.  Dhaka Dhaka Ahsania Mission 79
5.  Khulna Jagoroni Chakra Foundation 35
6.  Netrokona Shabolombi Unnayan Samity (SUS) 11
7.  Rajshahi ALWO 26
8.  Rangpur RDRS Bangladesh 36
9.  Sylhet FIVDB 09
Total BEN Members Total BEN Members Total BEN Members 232
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Initiatives of BEN for Advocacy

• Knowledge and innovation sharing sessions

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BEN Website
www.ecd-bangladesh.net
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BEN Directory
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BEN Logo
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ECD Theme Song
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Folder
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Sticker
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Poster
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Banner Festoon
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Newsletter
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BEN Progress Report
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Desk Calendar
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BEN with Government in Policy
Development

• Operational Framework for Pre-Primary Education
  
• BEN had a significant role in formulating the
  policy and operational framework for pre-primary
  education which was approved by MoPME in March
  2008.

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• GO-NGO Collaboration Guideline
• BEN formulated GO/NGO Collaboration Guidelines
  following the approved Operational Framework on
  Pre-Primary Education. The Guidelines have been
  approved by the Ministry of Primary and Mass
  Education in June 2011.
• GO-NGO Collaboration Implementation Plan
• In 2012, the Government has approved a GO/NGO
  collaboration implementation plan which will
  facilitate collaboration between Government and
  Non-Government organizations in Pre-Primary
  education in Bangladesh.

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• Comprehensive ECCD Policy Framework
• The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs
  (MoWCA) initiated the preparation of a
  comprehensive Early Childhood Care and
  Development (ECCD) policy in Bangladesh, as part
  of the UNICEF supported ELCD Project. BENs role
  has been instrumental in drafting the policy
  document along with other stakeholders. The
  policy document is in its final stage to be
  approved by the cabinet.
• National Children Policy 2010
• BEN contributed to the National Children Policy
  2010 by giving feedback in the Seminar on the
  policy by forming a group from BEN Executive
  Committee to provide formal feedback.

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• ELDS (Early Learning Development Standards)
  Document
• Developed by a technical team with the
  representation of Government and BEN
• Shared with the professionals from different
  disciplines
• Shared in the Inter-Ministerial workgroup
• Validation is due and will be done through a
  technical expert group.

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• Interim Package on Pre-Primary Curriculum
• BEN was closely involved in preparing an
  Interim Curriculum Package (2010-2011) for
  pre-primary. This interim curriculum of the
  National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) is
  under use now by the Directorate of Primary
  Education (DPE) untill a new modified package is
  in place by 2013.

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• National Pre-Primary Curriculum
• BEN has an active participation in the
  Curriculum working group led by National
  Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) in
  formulating the National Pre-Primary Curriculum
  as part of the Third Primary Education
  Development Program (PEDP3)- 2011-2016. Through
  continuous participation and feedback BEN has
  played a significant role in the development of
  the National Pre-Primary Curriculum