The education sector in Bangladesh has suffered a significant blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with statistics from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) revealing that 511,534 children dropped out of school in 2022, with 33% attributing their departure to the pandemic's impact.
The BBS's National Child Labor Survey-2022 report, released on Thursday, indicates a rise in child labor across the country, particularly in hazardous sectors. Despite efforts to improve access to education, 27.7% of children aged 5 to 17 are not enrolled in school, with 6.9% having dropped out after initial enrollment.
Among the reasons cited for non-attendance, the survey highlights financial constraints, family obligations, and engagement in household chores. The pandemic exacerbated dropout rates, disproportionately affecting girls, with 40.6% of COVID-related dropouts being female.
Moreover, high tuition fees emerged as a significant barrier, with 13.8% of dropouts citing financial constraints as the primary reason for leaving school. The survey underscores the urgent need for interventions to address the economic, social, and educational challenges faced by children, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The National Child Labor Survey-2022, the fourth of its kind in Bangladesh, offers crucial insights into child labor patterns, vulnerable demographics, and barriers to education. Conducted in line with international guidelines, the survey collected data from 30,816 households across 64 districts, shedding light on the complex dynamics of child labor and educational access in the country.