Free-of-cost School for Underprivileged Children

JAAGO Foundation has been providing quality education to underprivileged children in Bangladesh for the last 13 years. Like every year, students of JAAGO Foundation School have come out victorious in the SSC examinations this year despite having all odds from society. A total of 88 percent of students have passed this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from JAAGO Foundation School. Whereas A total of 82.87 percent of candidates have passed this year's Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations across the country. The gift of education itself is a thing of great privilege for them, and to overcome all obstacles and study in an English version school and achieve such remarkable results, is something straight out of a fairytale.  

Life During COVID- 19 Pandemic: 

Recently, The COVID-19 virus has so far infected millions of people in the world and Bangladesh is no different. To stop the spread of this pandemic, the government initiated a countrywide shutdown of schools, offices, factories, restaurants, etc, and strongly encouraged people to stay home unless it’s an emergency. Like all other industries, education is also facing a great challenge due to this situation. Fortunately, due to innovative technology in education, the JAAGO Foundation has the tools to enable remote learning without having to go to schools or other institutions. In this global pandemic, the foundation has been trying to make sure that the students and their families can survive in this crisis and come back to school. For the past 5 months, JAAGO Foundation has been providing food packages with the help of our 35000 volunteers to all the students’ families and surrounding communities who are from a similar background. 

Digital Education Initiative (DEI):

In the second week of the pandemic, JAAGO Foundation who has experience of running Online school or Online Education, recognized by UNESCO, opened it’s Digital Education Initiative (DEI) for everyone. This means at least the middle class can have access to education. Trained teachers sitting in their homes, maintaining social distancing, were teaching thousands of students who are locked down at home. The Government has also appreciated this initiative and has added this to its official website which is created to fight the pandemic. But still, some people are left behind, in the era of “No One Left Behind”. This included thousands of students of JAAGO, for whom a basic internet connection is considered a luxury, let alone a computer, this alternative approach of online education is not possible.

Tel- Ed Initiative: 

But despite the DEI Initiative, there were thousands of students who didn’t have access to the internet and computers. To make a difference in the lives of these, JAAGO came up with an innovative approach to providing education to our students. Through their “Tel-Ed” initiative, JAAGO is now operating classes over the voice messaging service and short messaging service.

In this Tel-Ed project, SMS and phone calls are made by trained teachers to every student individually according to their needs. Students have the opportunity to read, write, learn, and understand the concepts with the teacher sitting far away from them. This interactive education model not only helps students overcome their mental health situation but also helps them to learn their academic objectives under the National Curriculum & Textbook Board widely known as NCTB. 

The aim of the initiative is to maintain each student's link with formal schooling and reduce the rate of student dropouts. We hope this will ensure that once things get back to normal, students returning to the classroom will not be overburdened with the process of having to familiarise themselves with the curriculum and the learning process all over again.

Response & Impact of Tel-Ed Program:

The father of an Eighth grader lost his job due to COVID-19 and the child had to take a job in order to earn for their living. He requested the teacher to take classes at night so that he can study after work. The teacher confirmed that the student always finishes his homework and shows interest to study further.

JAAGO’s Virtual Feedback Summit:

On July 16th, the first-ever, Virtual Feedback Summit was organized for all the employees of JAAGO. Teachers from all JAAGO schools joined and shared their feedback about the current DEI and Tel- Ed system. They raised important concerns and ways of improvement. Moreover, the teachers also conveyed the students’ thoughts about the program.

Gratitude Note:

JAAGO Foundation has always dreamt of a better tomorrow where our children, no matter what economic background they come from, will have the opportunity to receive an education. And it couldn't have been possible without our NGO partners, corporates, donors, and well-wishers who have been our companions in the journey of fulfilling this dream. Your help and support have always inspired us to move forward. Thank you for your generous support on our “Free of Cost School for Underprivileged Children” project, which has been able to put a smile on the faces of 3500 underprivileged children. We would love to express our appreciation on behalf of all JAAGO students, teachers, parents, and employees. Concurrently amid this COVID-19 situation, we would also like to thank our heroic volunteers for their help in distributing relief to the furthest of the country. With you all, we dream of a beautiful future.

One can only imagine the losses that could have been due to a fire breakout.

The day of 14th March, Saturday, started just like any other quiet weekend at our schools until a fire broke out at Rayer Bazar slum around 9 am. The flames quickly spread to adjacent areas. Large sections of the slum were completely destroyed. The fire also reached the JAAGO Foundation School at Rayer Bazar, burning 5 classrooms. Till now, we have learned that a huge amount of books, shelves, benches, desks, walls, rooftops along with the classrooms have been burned in the aggression of this horrifying fire.

The slum is also home to many of the students, whose homes were damaged in the fire on that horrific day like a nightmare. It is not still clear what caused the fire. We thank the Almighty that it was a holiday for the school and students were not present on the premises; otherwise, there could have been a serious number of fatalities.

We appeal to all our sponsors and well-wishers to stand beside us and our students in this time of need and provide assistance to us so that we can ensure that the children can get back to their homes and their classrooms as soon as possible. Your help and contribution will help these children and their families to go back on their feet.

A Search for New Prospect:

Right after the trauma of fire incident, the whole world faced the new trouble of COVID 19. The world currently is facing probably the deadliest infectious virus- COVID 19 or Coronavirus as we widely know it. Countries all around the world are taking necessary steps to combat this virus which has affected and taken thousands of lives. There is a deeper problem rooted in this we believe. Coronavirus spreads rapidly through community transmission and to avoid spreading the disease the Government of Bangladesh has declared closing down all educational institutions.

Since JAAGO Foundation has a major project called “Education Program” to bring the light of hope through education among 3500 underprivileged children across 11 schools in Bangladesh, In line with the government's request to close all schools, JAAGO Foundation schools were shut on 17^th March 2020. Prior to the closure students were giving lessons on hygiene and preparedness for Coronavirus. We continue to stay in touch with the School communities around Bangladesh through SMS and phone calls. Many of the parents of these students are not able to work and as shops shut down and people are no longer using rickshaws the situation for them will get worse for them. During these difficult times, we have started a relief fund. This fund is helping the families of the students with food and essentials for families and most importantly support toward healthcare.

It is very hard to fight the unknown but we can definitely slow down the spread of the virus and the misery. We are fighting with an invisible force and it requires huge motivation, willpower, hands full of support and hearts filled with empathy to get things done during this crisis period. JAAGO Foundation is working solely to help the community in this crucial moment. We are also aiming to raise funds to distribute food and other precautionary items to day laborers, including slum dwellers.

Life before Pandemic:

The students from JAAGO have always been very fond of their school. The activities besides their academic syllabus fascinate them to be more attentive towards their studies. Followed by different events arranged by our partners and donors our students often get to be a part of many amazing experiences. These events and visits keep our students inspired to move ahead with their dreams of breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

Flight of Fantasy:

One of the major experiences that our students have earlier this year that one of the country’s leading private carriers gifted 20 students of JAAGO Foundation school with the experience of an exceptional pleasure trip called "Flight of Fantasy".

“Flight of Fantasy” took the children away from the hustle and bustle of Dhaka to the world’s longest unbroken sea beach in Cox’s Bazar. The delights continued with a visit hosted by Bangladesh’s biggest aquarium, Radiant Fish World authority only for the JAAGO students. Afterward, the children were taken to lunch and presented gifts before being flown back in the evening.

Friendly Football Match (JAAGO Vs AISD):

Following month the JAAGO Foundation School’s football team was invited to be a part of a “Friendly Football Match” arranged by the leading international school of the country AISD. Team JAAGO has sealed the match by 10-2 goals against the AISD middle school team.

A Day with AISD Service Learning Team:

Apart from this the AISD High School Service Learning team also invited our students to spend a day with them where the students got to play, explore and learn more about chemistry experiments and sports. The day was finished with a dinner where the bonding of friendship among the students was worth being observed.

Gratitude Note:

We are grateful to individuals, our NGO partners, corporates, donors and supporters for their generous support on the “Free of Cost School for Underprivileged Children” project. On behalf of all the students and parents who are related with JAAGO, we would like to express our heartiest gratitude. Without your contribution and support, our journey would not have progressed and prospered in changing the lives of these children who came from an economically disadvantaged background. We request you to continue your love by supporting this project of “Free of Cost School for Underprivileged Children”.