11th October is celebrated worldwide as the International Day of The Girl Child. This year’s theme, ‘Digital Generation, Our Generation’, recognises the profound transformations that have taken place as many countries turned towards high-tech education to ensure continuity of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the gender digital divide, girls are more likely to be missing out on precious learning opportunities than boys.
In the marginalised community, internet and smartphone penetration are very limited. It has not yet reached the high saturation rates of many countries. This includes thousands of students, for whom a basic internet connection is considered a luxury, let alone a computer; this alternative approach of online education is not possible. Moreover, girls are more likely to be cut off. In our society, where even boys receiving an education is not guaranteed, hoping that each and every girl will be educated is all but a pipe dream. Therefore, JAAGO has been working to break this barrier since 2007 by working towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, “Quality Education”. Using the digital platform, JAAGO is taking quality education to the most rural parts of the country. All students from our 11 schools receive education digitally, under the Bangladesh Government’s National Curriculum in English Version, including the 53% female students.