2005 has been an important year of transition. VAB is no longer contracting with a Bangladeshi/NGO. VAB is now its own BGD/NGO. Being registered as an NGO will allow more program flexibility, closer relationship with the students and schools, better use of staff time, more direct relationship between BGD Board and the program, better communication between BGD and the US, a more efficient and effective program, and more flexibility to collaborate with other like-minded NGOs to implement VAB ideals and programs in Bangladesh. The following report illustrates the changes that are underway.
The four person staff, under the leadership of Dr. James Das, found a cost effective office site; established administrative procedures; organized the Board and Advisory Committee; and reconnected with the VAB schools. The Board and Committee are functioning well; the office is light and airy; bookkeeping, files and records are established; and the schools are very much “with the program.” The transition has been difficult, but VAB is now well established and the program has made great progress.
The mission of VAB has been to provide a quality education to all students. Six years ago, VAB began with a Scholarship Program in 10 high schools for students from very poor families. In 2005, 19 schools offered scholarships to 380 students with oversight by VAB. Total scholarships offered to date were 1600. These scholarships provided tuition, exam fees, test books, educational supplies, a uniform and SSC exam fees for qualifying students. For the first time all materials were delivered on time. The uniform cost was negotiated on site with a tailor for a saving of VAB funds. The cost was $35 per student. In a process involving interns, staff and Board, five schools were dropped for a variety of reasons—poor scores, fraud, lack of motivation--and five new schools were selected into the program. In 2006, the program will be expanded to 24 schools serving 480 students for a total cost of $16,800.
In 2005, 106 scholarship students qualified to take the SSC exam. Of those students, 72 passed (68%). Compared to past years, the overall performance of VAB schools and students are better and the number of students making “A” was much higher. For comparison, the BGD national average for schools is 55% pass.
Continuing the effort to increase the quality of education, in 2004, VAB began the Improvement (or Modernization) Program with six schools selected from the Scholarship schools. In 2005, based on their SSC scores, the 4 best performing scholarship schools were selected to expand the Improvement Program to 10 schools. Each school is provided with science equipment library books and to computers with accessories. Each school contributes by providing secure storage, worktable space, a computer trainer and a librarian. Computer centers and libraries are to be open to the public after hours. These activities are difficult for many schools and will take time to have in full operation but they are an important method to link with the community. With one additional targeted school for improvement the total cost for five schools in 2005 was $15382. Four additional Scholarship schools will be selected in 2006 at a total cost of $8,930.
Teacher Training was begun in 2004 as an adjunct to the program. It was quickly realized that it was fundamental to improving the quality of schools. In 2005 it was a large and effective program. The training required a great deal of planning, organizing and managing by staff, Board and volunteers for the 15 days of training. 94 teachers attended 3-day sessions in their subjects—Mathematics, English and Science. The government has issued new curriculum but has offered no training so teachers are very apprehensive. In addition to being updated in their subjects, teachers learned new teaching techniques—moving away from rote learning to child centered interactive learning. The trainers were renowned teachers from reputed schools in Dhaka. Peers teaching other teachers and using open discussion and interactive methods illustrated new techniques by example. Cost of the training—transportation, meals, lodging—was reduced enormously by using the office and vacant upstairs offices for classes, eating and sleeping. The added benefit was that teachers were able to discuss and question each other and gain support in their off hours. At each school visited by Peter von Christierson, Program Manager, teachers and head masters would crowd around asking when the next training would be and could the sessions be longer. The cost in 2005 was $26 per teachers. In 2006, VAB may move the training to the field, grouping teachers in one or more locations. Total cost will be $4,838.
A new activity was begun in 2005—Intern Training. Volunteer interns, recently graduated or completing a degree at Dhaka University, have become a major part of the VAB staff. Dr. James felt that hiring enough staff to cover the schools would cost too much. He and Dr. Giasuddin Ahmed, retired Dhaka University professor, recruited 20 volunteers. Each is assigned a school to interact with. At least three trips to each school are made during the year. Before interns visit the schools, they are given an orientation program, which is followed up with two training sessions. The interns learn the focus of the VAB program, basic information regarding education in BGD, how to interview, data collection, monitoring principles and the basics of development and program implementation. The interns have become very competent and excited about the VAB program. In 2005 the cost was $21 per intern. This year the total cost will be $441.
The College Scholarship Program began in 2005. Originally it was thought that only a few meritorious students would be granted scholarships. When 39 students obtained “A”s, it was decided to award scholarships to all as an incentive to the “A” students but also as an incentive to students in classes that follow. This however, would have cost more than was available so VAB solicited special donations. This worked quite well and sufficient funds were pledged to cover the cost of full tuition and admission fees, textbooks, educational instruments and supplies at a cost of $137 per student. These students come from very poor families and would never have gone to college without VAB assistance. An intern provided shoes for one scholarship holder. One student is attending Dhaka University; the others are attending local colleges. In 2006, it is anticipated that 100 students (39 from 2005 and 61 from 2006) will be in the program at a total cost of $13700.
What has made the program come alive? It is several things. The Board is very supportive and occasionally visits schools to monitor and to prod them. The teacher training is critical as mentioned above. The last item is site visits to schools. The fact that someone is interested enough to make the journey and come to the school makes a difference. The visits are called monitoring visits, but they are much more. The VAB staff--Dr. James Das, Mohainmenul Islam and Saiful Islam--and the 20 volunteer interns have visited each school at least 3 times during 2005. Due largely to the efforts of Dr. James, the staff and the interns are excited and motivated to make the program work. The staff and interns encourage, inspire, motivate, prod and support the schools and the VAB students in everyway that they can. They meet personally with the students and their guardians, with the teachers, head masters, school committee members, when available, and community people. When Mr. von Christierson, returned from field trips, he was excited because the students, teachers and head masters were very upbeat, a change from last year. Not all schools and not all teachers are excited, but it is a big change from 2004. The site visits also provide VAB with valuable feedback, research data and insights into what is happening at the schools and how VAB may be of assistance. The site visits are a work-in-progress; but the preliminary results are very good and have made a large and positive impact on the program. In 2005 the cost of field visits was $321. In 2006 it is projected to be $688.
The Computer Literacy Program operated by VAB New Jersey began in 2004. 225 computer sets were sent to BGD, tested, reconditioned and sent to centers. By mid-2005, D-Net (the program operator) had 20 learning centers in full operation throughout BGD. Each center is fully equipped with at least 4 computers and necessary accessories. 72 teachers (20% female), two for each center, were trained to use the unique hands-on curriculum developed by D-Net. The curriculum has been drafted into a manual, which students can purchase for Tk.50 and keep for review. Center sponsors are given the option to have all new computers for a donation of $2,600 or $1,800 for refurbished equipment. Approximately 200 students are graduating under the program every 8 weeks. The course is 32 hours. Over 1,400 students have graduated so far and by December 1,235 were enrolled. In 2006 another 25 centers are planned and efforts are being made to provide internet connection where possible.Unlike all the previous years, we have not listed the names of donors in the annual report. Some donors expressed reservation about having their names printed, while others wanted more information on programs delivered. Accordingly we made these changes in this Report. However if any donor wants the list of donors, we can mail it.The VAB program is making a difference to BGD. We have plans for expansion to make a bigger difference in Bangladesh. But we need your help. This year VAB raised $ 49,017.To continue to expand the program, VAB will need $ 70,000 in 2007. Can we count on you to help up reach that goal? Please consider VAB for your generosity.
