Exploring the Role and Impact of Non-Formal Education in Bangladesh: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions

Non-formal education is a method that is more adaptable, optional, and tailored to meet the

requirements of particular groups. It focuses on acquiring practical skills, knowledge, and personal

development instead of academic credentials or official certifications. This study aims to explore

the role and impact of non-formal education in Bangladesh, examining its opportunities,

challenges, and potential future directions. It was conducted in Khulna, Bangladesh, and employed

a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group

discussions with 32 participants, including educators as NGO program facilitators, policymakers,

NGO officials, and beneficiaries engaged in non-formal education initiatives. These tools were

used for exploring the role of non-formal education in improving literacy and life skills in

Bangladesh, identifying the challenges faced by non-formal education initiatives, and exploring

policy implications and opportunities for scaling non-formal education programs. The thematic

analysis method was used for the analysis of the data. The findings show that much of the

respondents were aware that non-formal education is pivotal to enhancing basic literacy, livelihood

skills and social consciousness among the marginalized and the disadvantaged people. The study

findings, however, also show that certain problems remain, such as lack of funding, lack of

appropriate infrastructure, lack of trained facilitators, and integration with the official system of

education being among them. Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the research identifies the

avenues to improve the non-formal education via friendly policies and community participation

and innovative program designs. The study ends with recommendations aimed at improving non-

formal education systems to more effectively aid Bangladesh's education and development.

• Supervision