To address the high number of out-of-school children, VBHES has enrolled approximately 2,500 children, including those with special needs, in formal and non-formal education programs. Community outreach teams identified children through household surveys, prioritizing girls, children with disabilities, and those in remote areas. Tailored support, such as flexible class schedules and transportation assistance, has increased school attendance by about 25%. Inclusive education training for teachers ensures that children with special needs are integrated into mainstream classrooms, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing stigma.
Cox’s Bazar Host Community Education Program
Cox’s Bazar program targets 10 host community schools, addressing educational gaps in a region hosting large refugee populations. Teacher training enhances instructional quality, while SMC training strengthens school governance. Awareness sessions on child protection and SRHR empower students and parents, creating safer learning environments. By integrating these efforts with existing SO4 initiatives, the program ensures alignment with national education goals and community needs, benefiting approximately 3,000 students and setting a model for scalable interventions The initiatives under SO4 demonstrate VBHES’s commitment to transforming education and child protection in southwest Bangladesh. By enrolling out-of-school children, reducing dropouts, and providing vocational and digital training, the program has empowered approximately 10,000 individuals with education and economic opportunities. The Cox’s Bazar initiative further strengthens these efforts, ensuring sustainable, inclusive education systems. Through community engagement, innovative solutions, and robust partnerships, VBHES is building a brighter, more equitable future for underserved children.
Child Protection Education
VBHES signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with schools to implement child protection policies, training teachers and SMCs in safeguarding practices. These policies protect approximately 4,000 children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
Awareness Campaigns Against Child Marriage
Recognizing child marriage as a primary driver of girl child dropouts, VBHES launched awareness campaigns reaching approximately 3,000 children and their families. These campaigns, conducted through community meetings, theater performances, and educate parents and adolescents about the legal and health consequences of early marriage. Adolescent SRHR sessions, integrated into the new Cox’s Bazar program, empower girls with knowledge about their rights and reproductive health, reducing vulnerability to early marriage. As a result, girl child dropout rates due to marriage have decreased by an estimated 20% in intervention areas.
Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD)
The program has implemented ECCD initiatives for approximately 1,800 children aged 3–6, focusing on early learning, socialization, and cognitive development. Community-based ECCD centers provide play-based learning, nutrition support, and parental engagement sessions. These centers, staffed by trained facilitators, have improved school readiness, with about 85% of participants transitioning successfully to primary education. The holistic approach ensures children develop foundational skills in a nurturing environment, setting the stage for lifelong learning.
