Transforming Primary Education through PartnershipGovernment and Stakeholders Call for Stronger GO–NGO Collaboration

Strengthening collaboration between the government and non-government organisations will be critical to achieving the goals of the Fifth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5). Key priorities include developing a structured GO–NGO collaboration framework; accelerating foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes; expanding support for inclusive, climate-resilient and digital learning; strengthening education services in hard-to-reach areas; integrating NGO data into national systems; and enhancing disaster preparedness, health, nutrition and WASH initiatives in primary schools.
These were the strategic priorities for 2026–2031 under PEDP-5 presented at the ‘GO–NGO Collaboration Dialogue: Strengthening Partnerships and Coordination for Transformative Primary Education under PEDP-5’, organised jointly by the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) and BRAC on Monday, 29 June 2026, at BRAC Centre in Dhaka.
The chief guest at the event was Bobby Hajjaj, State Minister, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. Shahina Ferdousi, Director General, Directorate of Primary Education, chaired the event. Farid Ahmed, Director General, National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE) & Chairman, Diploma in Primary Education (DPEd) Board, and Md. Abdur Rahim, Additional Director General, Directorate of Primary Education, attended as special guests.
Mohammad Atiqur Rahaman, Additional Director General (PEDP4), Directorate of Primary Education, provided the keynote presentation and K A M Morshed, Senior Director, Advocacy, Communications and Engagement, BRAC, moderated the question-and-answer session after the keynote address. Safi Rahman Khan, Director, Education, Skills Development and Migration, BRAC, provided the welcome address.
In his address as chief guest, State Minister Bobby Hajjaj emphasised the government’s commitment to improving learning outcomes through stronger collaboration with NGOs and other stakeholders. He identified five key areas requiring joint action under PEDP-5 including curriculum, teachers, administration, infrastructure, and technology. He noted that the programme would be implemented through a range of targeted projects to advance these priorities.
He observed that while Bangladesh had made significant progress in primary education, considerable work remained to ensure quality learning for all children. Stressing that learning outcomes must remain at the centre of reform efforts, he highlighted the importance of delivering quality education at scale while making the system increasingly inclusive. He also underscored the value of NGO partnerships in responding to emerging challenges, noting that NGOs’ flexibility and community reach complement the government’s broader institutional capacity. The State Minister further highlighted the need for scalable, sustainable approaches capable of delivering long-term improvements across the primary education system.
Speaking as chair of the event, Shahina Ferdousi, Director General, Directorate of Primary Education, described NGOs as key partners in extending the reach of education services at the grassroots level. She noted that collaboration with NGOs is integral to policy development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Speaking as a special guest, Farid Ahmed, Director General, National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE), emphasised that stronger government–NGO collaboration offers valuable opportunities to share knowledge, experience and best practices across the education sector. He noted that while NGOs have long contributed to improving education at the grassroots level, the success of all interventions ultimately depends on their impact in the classroom.
Speaking as a special guest, Md. Abdur Rahim, Additional Director General, Directorate of Primary Education, said that every parent hopes to see their child complete primary education successfully and progress confidently to secondary school. He emphasised the importance of working together to realise this shared aspiration and called for continued collaboration and support from all stakeholders to ensure better educational outcomes for every child.
Syed Rashed Al-Zayed, Senior Economist, World Bank, and Dr Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Director, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), shared their views, while the vote of thanks was provided by Md Ataur Rahman, Deputy-Project Director (PEDP4), Directorate of Primary Education.
A session on collaborative planning and consensus building was moderated by Md Moazzem Hossain, Programme Head, Development, BRAC Education Programme. Ahsania Mission, B-SCAN, Educo Bangladesh, Actionaid Bangladesh, World Vision, Save the Children, BIED, and other organisations participated in the session.

• Press Release