DNET and British Council have collaborated to provide English and digital education skills for 1,200 girls in Manikganj, Chittagong and Lalmonirhat through the “English and Digital for Girls Education (EDGE)” project.

The project is being financed by Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

Before starting the third phase of this project, training of peer group leaders was organized for three days from January 17-25 in the three districts, according to a press release.

The information technology education in the training includes internet browsing, MS office, safe internet use, awareness of social media rumours, digital security, etc.

For social awareness, Meena cartoons (English version) are shown, where teenagers can see various social problems and solutions. Later they can discuss the problems among themselves.

The 21st-century skills such as citizenship, communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, etc, are taught in this training which will help them to make informed and responsible decisions in their daily life and contribute to bring positive changes in society.

Through the clubs, teenagers will discuss various issues of English practice, digital education practice, social awareness and learn about various income-generating initiatives. As a result, adolescent girls will become socially and economically self-reliant and will be able to contribute at various levels of the state. Adolescents will also become proficient in leadership development.

In this regard, Maisha Farzana, coordinator of the EDGE project and assistant manager of DNET, said: “Our aim is to create a supportive environment for their development and skill acquisition.”

He also said: “If we can later spread this project to schools all over Bangladesh, it will be our achievement.”

Abdullah Al Mamun

Staff Reporter

Dhaka Tribune