VAB
Newsletter: July 2007
VAB Newsletter July 2007
Report
from the Field:
January
– June, 2007
Year 2006 was a successful year
for VAB and year 2007 started with great enthusiasm based on what was learned
in 2006. Part of the learning was how to interface with government. VAB is
required to receive formal permission to operate from NGO Affairs Bureau each
year. To obtain permission, VAB submitted (a) VAB Annual Report 2006 detailing
of all programs undertaken during this period (b) VAB Audited Financial Report
2006 and (c) Clearance letters from all Thana Nirbahi (Executive) Officers
where VAB schools are located. By March the NGO Bureau granted permission for
VAB to operate and to receive foreign funds during 2007.
High School
Scholarship Program
Selection of new VAB students in
Grade VIII was the year’s first task and was completed by VAB staff within
January with the cordial assistance received from school management committees,
headmasters, and teachers. A new database of all VAB students has now been
completed and will be used to track student and school progress.
A total of 460 poor but
meritorious students in classes VIII, IX and X received VAB Scholarships (20
each from 23 schools). Each scholarship includes all the necessary textbooks,
exercise books and stationary and uniforms. One previous school has been
replaced and the new school did not need the supplies. Also under the
Scholarship program, session and exam fees of all 460 VAB students for 2007
were paid to the schools. To maintain transparency and to reduce costs, VAB
staff obtains receipts for each item. Tailoring of uniforms was negotiated
with local tailors who appreciate the business. By April, all goods were
distributed, fees paid and funds accounted for.
As a mark of achievement, 27 VAB
students received scholarships as a result of competing in the Grade VIII
national Junior Scholarship Examinations.
As the scholarship program becomes
increasingly effective in reducing dropout, VAB has been receiving pleas from
our school partners for raising the number of scholarships, which is currently
beyond our funding limits.
SSC Examination
The 2007results show an improvement: A total of 145
VAB students sat for Secondary School Certificate
Examination (SSC) in 2007, 108 passed (74%) and
37(26%) failed. 92 students secured Grade A (63%), 14
secured Grade B (10%) and 3 secured Grade C (2%).
Most failures occurred in Mathematics and English.
Each year the results are better—in 2006, only 68%
passed and only 37% of students secured Grade A.
College Scholarship
Program
VAB
College Scholarships are offered as rewards
to VAB high school students for outstanding performance (securing Grade A) on
the SSC exam. The 92 students from 2007securing Grade A will be offered
scholarships to college. VAB currently has a total of 91 college scholarship
students--39 from 2005 and 60 from 2006. The
VAB scholarships provide admission fees, all necessary textbooks, tuition fees,
college exam fees and for registration fees to sit for centrally administered
college final examination or Higher Secondary Certificate Examinations (HSC).
University Scholarship Program
For the VAB 2005 batch of 31
students, the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams began in May 2007. The
major exams are all over, but practical exams are still continuing. The last
reports received from students suggest that they are all doing well. Passing
the HSC qualifies them for a university or technical education such as medicine
or engineering. The results will be published in September. VAB will seek
sponsorships for successful ones to undertake further education.
Teachers Training Program
Last year, 115 teachers from 24 VAB
schools attended 3-day training sessions each in English, Science and Math.
For many of the teachers, the training is the highlight of their year. For VAB,
this is a direct method of improving rural education. This year because of
only a brief summer vacation, the teachers training program could not be held
in June. Instead, the training will be in September during Ramadan. It is
planned to serve more teachers than last year. The training is critical to
improving the quality of education. Teachers are brought up to date in subject
content and are also taught modern “student centered” and interactive methods
of teaching.
Computer Literacy Program (CLP), VAB
New Jersey Office
Currently 54 Computer Literacy
Centers (CLCs) in 28 districts are fully operational. Another 5 CLCs will be
inaugurated in July. In a recent evaluation of the program conducted by a
student from Fletcher School of Government, Tufts University, several
observations were noted--students prefer to work in groups and in
collaboration, and teachers observed that computer trained students do better
in areas such as math, Bengali and English.
D-Net, the NGO implementing the CLP,
is starting a new program to enhance students’ English communication skills,
focusing on comprehension and oral communication. After clearance by the NGO
Bureau, the initial program will operate in 5 pilot centers. And, a big win
for the CLP, Microsoft has provided funds to establish 13 Community for Learn
Information Communication and Knowledge (CLICK) centers. The aim of CLICK is
to teach advanced computer skills for students seeking immediate employment.
The centers will also provide additional informational services to benefit the
local community.
Future Programs
Medical Program for Cleft Lip Children
Dr Fazlur Rahman Chowdhury, VAB
Secretary on USA Board, while visiting VAB office, Dhaka, proposed to offer
medical treatment to cleft lip children with the collaboration of a local
surgeon. VAB office is now collecting names of such children and then Dr
Chowdhury will raise fund to do this work. VAB Dhaka office will offer all
required services to ensure smooth operation of this program, hopefully by the
end of 2007.
Sixth
Grade Tutoring
Students entering the 6th
Grade (first year of high school) are often poorly prepared and lack even basic
learning skills. Such students are not able to catch up, become discouraged
and drop out, thus vastly reducing their chances for a productive life. VAB
will begin several pilot projects. These projects will determine what skills
are needed to succeed in the 6th Grade, will evaluate skill levels
of individual students, and will prepare and implement tutoring courses for the
students.
Distinquished Visitors to VAB Dhaka office
Dr. Fazlur
Rahman Chowdhury,
Secretary of VAB/USA Board, visited in May and made a proposal for treatment of
cleft lips for the poor. A local surgeon would assist. VAB office will
assemble the information regarding potential cleft lip patients.
Dr. Ted Thomas, a consultant for BRAC and a long-time friend of Prof Dr
Ahmed, visited the 20 May Advisory Board meeting, and discussed potential
assistance and possible future collaboration with BRAC.
Mrs. Fareeda Amin Khan, newly appointed VAB Manager for California, USA visited. After reviewing the various VAB programs and issues, she expressed her
happiness with the results of VAB activities. She donated TK. 20,000 for VAB
program activities, which VAB received with thanks and gratitude.
Mr. Robert Terry Jr.: early Peace Corps staff, has worked with Bangladesh
Agricultural Development Corp. and also worked with Dr ATR Raman at Comilla
BARD, visited Bangladesh VAB office along with his wife. VAB program and issues
were discussed during his visit. He now is helping raise funds for VAB in the U.S.
SATU: VAB staff visited SATU, a Tangail based NGO now receiving funds from
IDEX (International Development Exchange), a San Francisco based donor. The
visit was part of a larger effort by VAB-BGD and VAB-US to explore partnerships
and additional funding sources.
News from VAB-USA
VAB Honored by New York State Assembly—March 26, 2007
On the 37th Anniversary of the Independence Day
of Bangladesh, the New York State Assembly honored VAB. The Citation, read by
Assemblyman Jose Peralta, 39th District, stated “the efforts of VAB
has touched the lives of countless people and are worthy of special
recognition”. The South Asian American Political Action Committee and Thikana
(U.S. Bangla Newspaper) assisted to make the event memorable. Bangla songs and
a buffet luncheon were enjoyed by over 60 guests.
VAB Annual Fund Raising Dinner—March 24, 2007
Keynote Speaker, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury,
Under-Secretary-General, United Nations, highlighted VAB’s work within the
global context of the community of nations. Responding to pleas for donations
by Mr. Mohammed Saleh, Convenor, $20,000 was raised for VAB programs. Thanks
to all who made it a success.
Fundraising Dinner in Volunteer’s Home—April 22, 2007
A dinner at the home of Mr. Abu and Mrs. Shelly Rahman,
$2,365 was raised for VAB activities from 14 guests. Our thanks to Shelly and
Amin for their warm hospitality, excellent food and a worthwhile and
informative event.
VAB CONTACT: P.O. Box- 234, Irvington, NY 10533; E-mail: arahman10@aol.com; 
