This sentiment was one shared by many of the women in the adult education classes. Similar to many developing countries, poor children in Bangladesh, particularly girls, are denied access to basic education. Fifteen years ago the situation was worse. Recognizing that cost-effective supplements to the formal school system were needed in order not to render an entire generation of poor children illiterate, BRAC initiated an education programme in 1985. BRAC has developed an innovative form of non-forma l education to meet the specific needs of the rural poor.
Class takes place for a few hours a day in rented one-room shacks close to the students' homes.
School hours are flexible to meet seasonal demands, and, in response to their students' needs, little or no homework is assigned. The curriculum is relevant to rural life. There are over 34,000 schools, with 1.1 million students currently attending. Tea chers are recruited from local women in the village, and provided with fifteen days of training and regular refresher courses. Parents pay a monthly token fee, to minimize costs and more importantly, to provide a sense of ownership over the schools.