Research Reports (1996): Social Studies, Vol – XIII

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/13247

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Role of education in reducing child labour: a case from rural Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996) Nath, Samir Ranjan; Hadi, Abdullahel
This article examines the hypothesis that formal education of children and their parents plays a major role in reducing child labour. Data are generated from a representative sample survey of 3,809 children aged 10-14 years in 150 villages of Manikganj and Joypurhat districts in Bangladesh. Findings reveal significant inverse relationship between child labour and years ol schooling. Six factors such as age of children, child education, mother's education, father's education, land ownership of household and father's occupation appear to be important determinants of child labour. Probabilities of children to be in the labour force also indicate that years of schooling of the children is the most influential variable to reduce child labour followed by father's and mother's education. It is concluded that child labour may be reduced by enrolling children to school. This should be ensured through motivating the parents for education, making available of schools in rural areas, and creating a joyful environment of learning.
Proceedings of the seminar on situation of the elderly in Bangladesh: what do we know?
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-08) lslam, Md Nazrul; Ahmed, Hasan Shareef
There is a growing tendency of world's elderly (60 years and above) population and concentrating in the developing countries. By the year 2025, 72% of the world's elderly (858 million) population will be living in the developing countries. In 1980, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh were the five top ranking countries in terms of population lives in Asian and Pacific region. By the year 2025, these five countries will account for 44% of the world's elderly population. In Bangladesh, there are 6 million elderly population. This number will be 10 million by the year 2000 and 24 million by 2025. Bangladesh is one of the 20 countries with the largest elderly population. Traditionally, in Bangladesh, the responsibility for the welfare of the elderly lies with their children and the state has virtually no obligation to provide care for its elderly. Culturally a son, preferably the eldest one looks after their elderly parents. The daughters have no direct opportunity to look after her parents in old age due to two main reasons: there may be objections from her husband and her in-laws, and may view it as a shameful situation. What happens when there are no sons or when the sons are not available to look after the parents? Some elderly live on their own or have a poor relative stay with them to take care of them, while economic provision may be arranged by any children. Traditionally son provides food and shelter and his wife to takes personal care of her elderly parentsin- laws. Obviously, in case of a married elderly man, the primary caregiver is his wife if she is able. The riverse situation, husband caring for his wife, almost never occurs. However, majority of elderly people continue to live within extended family settings both in urban and rural areas, because social changes have not occurred significantly in the extended family. Moreover, the status of old people was not uniformly high in the past. It is also observed that there was a strong correlation between level of status of elderly and their economic power.
Manual on environmental awareness training
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-11) Akter, Nasima; Jakariya, Md.; Acott, Rachael
Level, pattern and socio-economic determinants of enrollment informal schools of the graduates of BRAC's education programme
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996) Nath, Samir Ranjan
BRAC has been operating two models of primary education for the children of poor households in Bangladesh since 1985. After graduation from BRAC schools, these children enroll in formal schools for further education. This study identified the level, pattern and determinants of enrollment in formal schools who graduated from BRAC schools. Information of 1,259 children was collected at the end of 1995. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. This study reveals that about 80% of the graduates of BRAC's education programme were continuing their education in formal schools. No gender variation in enrollment was found. Findings also indicated that younger graduates whose mothers have some schooling and who were non-eligible for BRAC membership were more likely to get further education in formal schools compared to other groups. Availability of formal school in their own village was also found as a determinant of girls enrollment. Considering the underdeveloped socio-economic condition of Bangladesh, this study concludes that enrollment rate of the graduates was satisfactory. Measures such as motivation to the parents and supervision of the programme organisers (POs) of BRAC may be taken for further improvement of the current situation.
Initial environmental examination of BRAC programs: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, sericulture
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996-05) Zaman, Faria; Akter, Nasima; Chicoine, Genevieve; Jakariya, Md.
Impact of BRAC's non formal education programme in raising life skills knowledge among females of rural Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996) Nath, Samir Ranjan
The objective of this study is to assess the role BRAC's education programme on life skills knowledge among its graduates. Data were collected from Watch, in three rural unions of Manikganj district where BRAC has been operating its non-formal primary education programme since 1980s. All BRAC school graduates, who were women, married and living in the study villages were included in the sample. The two other group of married women were also selected at random from the same villages i) who graduated from formal schools and ii) who never went to any school. The total sample size was 891 married women. Findings reveal that life skills knowledge were much higher among BRAC graduates than formal school graduates. However, no significant difference was observed in regarding knowledge of legal issues between the women of formal schools and BRAC graduates. The study concludes that BRAC's education programme had significant role in raising life skills knowledge of the rural women.
Impact assessment of BRAC's human rights and legal education training
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997) Rafi, Mohammad; Hulme, David; Ahmed, Shah Asad; Amin, Md. Nurul
The huge training investment of BRAC calls for an answers to the questions -- what is the impact of the training on BRAC programs and on its recipient? This study endeavors to answer these questions. As a part of this effort an impact assessment research methodology for training was developed. The methodology was then applied to the training under Human Rights and Legal Education (HRLE) program. (pp. 1-2) The HRLE training has been introduced to disseminate practically relevant legal knowledge to BRAC members. In order to reach a large number of Village Organization (VO) members at low cost a training 'cascade' has been established. Training is offered al three levels. First comes the Training of Trainers (TOT) for HRLE. Next is Teachers Training (TT) for HRLE Shebok/Shebikas. Finally there is Legal Education (LE) provided by Shebok/Shebikas to the VO members. The laws that the training covers arc Citizen's Right Protection Law, Muslim Family Law, Muslim Inheritence Law, and Land Law. (pp. 3-7)
Education for empowerment: a note on BRAC's Human Rights and Legal Education Programme (HRLEP) at Matlab
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996) Huda, Samiha
This study attempts to address selected aspects of BRAC's Human Rights and Legal Education Programme (HRLEP) in Matlab Thana. HRLEP at Matlab began in January 1996 through training of the members of village organizations (VOs) on human rights and legal education. The major objective of the study was to assess the process of HRLE training at Matlab and explore the level of interaction between VO members and the shasthya shebikas (SSs) and Programme Assistant (PA) involved in training. The study also aimed to elicit the participants' perception of the programme and to evaluate the contents of the training manual. Data were collected through direct observation of HRLE training sessions in l 5 villages. Programme information were collected from HRLE staff at Matlab. Published articles, manuscripts, annual reports, and research reports on the issue were also used as secondary material. It was found that none of the shebikas at Matlab received training manuals (as on l 5 May 1996), rather they were providing training with the help of their notes taken during their own training. It was also found that some of the VO members were not interested in the course at the beginning but became interested later on. Credit was found to be an important factor in motivating enrollment; once they start attending the training classes, they tended to grow interest in the course and wished to continue. Another important finding was that some VO members' husbands objected to their participation in the course. A common objection of their husbands concerned the teaching of Muslim Family Law, especially the issue of divorce. Hindu VO members demanded that Hindu Law be included in the course contents as well. Major recommendations include: • Teaching manuals should be supplied immediately to the SSs. • It is suggested that issues such as Hindu Family Law and Laws of Inheritance and domestic violence be included in the course contents. • Flip charts used in the course should include more illustrations. The size of the illustrations should be increased so that each page contains only one picture. Four separate flip charts can be produced for four different laws. • A strong follow up system should be developed, so that BRAC members do not forget what they have learned
Capacity development through training: the case of BRAC village organizations
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1996) Mahbub, Sharmin; Mannan, Manzurul; Khan, Shahriar R; Rana, Masud
Capacity development through skill training is an important component of BRAC' s credit programme. This study looked at the impact of capacity development of BRAC beneficiaries on their performance as village organization (VO) members as well as use of the skill gained. Qualitative data were collected from 3 VOs of south Uddamdi village of Matlab thana where BRAC started working since early 1992. During analysis comparison was made between members who received training and members who did not receive any training. Results indicate that 27-39% of the VO members chosen for BRAC training were largely selected by VO management committee in consultation with PA and PO. Sometimes a member received training up to 5 times on different topics but did not use more than two. There are large number of non-target group (NTG) members present in these VOs (on average 27%) who influence the selection process. About 83% of the trainees were above the age of 40 years. Also, VO management committee members and small group leaders appeared to be more likely to be selected for training. Statistically significant effect of skill training on savings/credit performance was noted. Group members who received various inputs for capacity development such as training; .credit and employment opportunities were better-off socially and economically than those who did not get this opportunity. While looking for regularity of attendance, it was seen that members who received training were more regular in weekly meetings than those who did not receive any training. Problems in using training knowledge were lack of opportunities and support from fellow group members as well as staff Operational problems associated with training include ,inducing false hope and inadequate supplies of training materials. . Members perception about training was initially not favorable but later when the benefits started showing, their interest increased. The study shows that members perceive the VO as a mechanism through which they may receive services and inputs from BRAC and they exert pressure on BRAC staff to provide ~hem with these inputs. This sometimes stress the relationship between the members and staff. However, VO members and BRAC staff pursue for increased interdependency to, protect the interest of VOs. ·
An emic towards well-being
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1997-07) Mahbub, Amina; Roy, Rita Das
Usually much attention has not been paid to people's perspective towards their own wellbeing in the nation level. In fact it is rare to find national level studies on realities about people's well-being and People's idea in the development process usually are not considered (UNDP, 1996). But people are conscious about their own well-being and they have a transparent idea about their need and priorities as well. The present study is a part of BRAC-ICDDR, B joint research project. The main objectives of the research project is to assess the effect of BRAC and lCDDR, B interventions on health status and human wellbeing and also to explore the pathways and causal mechanism through which these development efforts influence (Chowdhury and Bhuiya, 1995). Since the impact of the development interventions on the well-being of individuals and families in rural Bangladesh is primarily concerned here; to get an outlook about what is 'well-being' to the people is very much crucial to be identified.

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