MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
The Australian Government will further assist about 700,000 children in
north-west Bangladesh by contributing an additional $3.9 million to a program
aimed at giving very poor children in rural areas access to basic education.
The announcement by the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs
Chris Gallus, MP, coincides with the 30th anniversary this year of
Australia's aid program with Bangladesh, one of the poorest nations in Asia.
The funding will be provided over 18 months and will go to the Intensive
District Approach to Education for All project, which UNICEF is implementing in
35 of the country's 64 districts.
It aims to improve primary education in Bangladesh through better teaching
and improved attendance and retention rates, especially for girls.
Mrs Gallus said today the latest contribution brings Australian funding to
the project to a total of $8.15 million.
'Australia is delighted to be involved in this program in the districts of
Dinajpur, Panchgarh and Rangpur, which are among the poorest in the country,'
she said.
'In the 3,888 primary schools in these three districts, more than 10,000
teachers have received further training because of this program.
'Greater parent and teacher participation in school management has given
parents more direct involvement in their children's education. Resource centres
for teachers have been set up and school buildings have been upgraded and
decorated.
'As a result, the program is delivering impressive results. More than 70
percent of students in schools around the country where the program is operating
are completing Grade 5, with girls making up roughly half the enrolments.
'This is particularly encouraging given that girls are often kept home from
school or withdrawn earlier than boys to look after other family members,
thereby limiting their life and employment opportunities.'
Mrs Gallus said that since 1972, Australia had provided Bangladesh with more
than $500 million in humanitarian and development assistance.
Over the next 12 months, a total of $35.6 million will be allocated, close to
one-third of the total aid budget to the South Asia region.
Media contact:
Craig Bildstien (Office of Mrs Gallus) 0407 604 437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 042 804 489
Pam Garcia (UNICEF) 02 9261 2811 / 0413 736 447