2,000 dropouts get free education through Anjuman and Aziz Trust

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Sumaiya Akhtar from the capital's Kamrangirchar area dropped out of her school. Her family's financial struggles nearly halted her education after completing the first grade. 

However, earlier this year, she was enrolled in a learning centre operated by Suravi, located next to her house. Now, Sumaiya is catching up on missed subjects and getting ready for the next grade.

"Now, I am learning Bengali, English, and Maths regularly at Suravi School without any cost. My teacher even convinced my mother to support my studies. I aspire to continue my studies and become a doctor in the future," Sumaiya shared with The Business Standard.

Not only Sumaiya Akhtar, but 2,000 other students like her are also receiving free education through 67 centres, each catering to 30 students, with the help of Anjuman and Aziz Charitable Trust (AACT).

Akhi Akhtar, a teacher at the Jhauchar learning centre in Kamrangirchar, explained to TBS that the centre accommodates 30 students in two shifts — morning and afternoon. 

"The curriculum covers Bengali, English, and Maths, organised according to age groups. The programme helps students who had dropped out to catch up and join appropriate classes," she pointed out.

Through this programme, parents are also being encouraged to value child education.

AACT supports Unicef's specialised learning programme, aimed at assisting 3,000 Children in three zones of Dhaka South, who had discontinued their schooling.

Muhammed Aziz Khan, a Unicef International council member and chairman of AACT, along with Azeeza Aziz Khan, an AACT trustee, have visited the Unicef Ability Based Accelerated Learning Centre near Kamrangirchar in Jhauchar.

In this learning centre, Unicef is teaching 8-14-years old children in one of Dhaka's urban slums. 

Through Unicef, AACT extends assistance to 3,000 underprivileged students in Dhaka South, bringing its total beneficiaries to 4,350 students.

Muhammed Aziz Khan told TBS, "A significant number of children in our country are deprived of educational opportunities. Economic challenges often force them to discontinue their studies. In response, our trust places special emphasis on assisting these children." 

Recognising education's pivotal role in a nation's advancement, he noted that although the Jhauchar centre was temporarily closed due to the pandemic, it has now resumed operations at full capacity. 

Md Masud, project director of the Ability Based Accelerated Learning Centre for out-of-school children and adolescents, informed TBS that their primary objective is to reintegrate school dropouts into the education system. These children are prepared for subsequent grade levels and then enrolled in mainstream schools. 

"Concurrently, efforts are being made to raise parents' awareness about the importance of education," he added. 

Muhammed Aziz Khan and his wife have been involved in philanthropic endeavours for more than twenty years, both as individuals and through the Siraj-Khaleda Memorial Trust. 

Muhammed Aziz is the founder and chairperson of the philanthropic organisation named Prothom Alo Trust. His wife Anjuman Aziz Khan has been awarded the Life Member's Award by the Assistance for Blind Children (ABC) in recognition of her support.