Debating Diversity in Provision of Universal Primary Education in Bangladesh

Multiple providers (including state, quasi-state and non-state ones) have contributed to raising initial enrolment and improving gender balance in Bangladesh. The critical question is how multiplicity and diversity of provision can contribute to achieving truly universal primary education with high completion rates and acceptable levels of learning. In this paper, these questions are addressed in the context of history and circumstances of educational development in Bangladesh, as the Government attempts to put into effect a new national education policy and design a five year (2011-15) national development plan

Access to Education in Bangladesh: Country Analytic Review of Primary and Secondary Education

This country analytical review examines the key issues in access to and participation in primary and secondary education in Bangladesh, with a special focus on areas and dimensions of exclusion. Against a background of overall progress, particularly in closing the gender gap in primary and secondary enrollment, the research applies a conceptual framework outlining different forms of exclusion and presents two significant findings which compromise access and diminish gains made: high dropout rates at primary and secondary levels and nominal access but virtual exclusion from quality learning. Other areas surveyed in the review include interventions by public sector and non-governmental providers in primary and secondary education as well as the financing of basic education. This review of the literature concludes with suggestions for future research directions that might lead to new understanding and insights on equitable access and participation

Lifelong learning in a learning society: are community learning centres the vehicle?

This book chapter was published in Education, Learning, Training: Critical Issues for Development [ © 2014 Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies ] and the definite version is available at: http://doi.org/10.1163/9789004281158_007. The book website is at: http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/books/b9789004281158_007This chapter provides a historical perspective on the evolving concepts of lifelong learning and the learning society and makes the case for the community learning centre as a potential institutional vehicle for the promotion of adult and lifelong learning. It highlights the pertinence of lifelong learning/learning society in the post-2015 Development Agenda discourse. Arguments in favour of the community learning centre as a vehicle for lifelong learning/learning society are illustrated using the example of Bangladesh and drawing on parallels and contrasts with China and India. Finally, lessons derived from a recent review of the Asia-Pacific region are evaluated with respect to the development of strategic actions intended to offer adult and lifelong learning within and through community learning centres.Publishe

Erratum to: Defining and measuring literacy: facing the reality

This erratum was published in the International Review of Education [© Copyright 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.] and the definite version is available at : http://doi.org/110.1007/s11159-011-9209-9. The Journal's website is at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11159-011-9209-9Publishe

Study of the Farmers Knowledge Regarding Pesticide Usage on Cotton Crop at District Nushki, Balochistan Province

In order to identify the farmers’ knowledge regarding pesticide usage on cotton crop in district Nushki of Balochistan province, the study was carried out during the year 2014. The impacts of pesticide application on environmental degradation and human health were also investigated. Cotton growers were enquired for their knowledge regarding the pesticides and their use on cotton crop as well as perceive on the impact of pesticides on cotton production, adverse effects on human health and environment as well. The study showed that majority (93.02%) were not satisfied on extension services and the usefulness of the extension agents for use of pesticides on cotton and the help from extension agents (91.25%). In case of cotton growers’ knowledge regarding proper pesticide products, majority (51.16%) were not satisfied; 45.35 percent were satisfied to some extent; 45.35% were positive for the assumption that unsafe pesticide application is a health risk for the applicators, while 38.37% showed adverse attitude 16.28% were highly satisfied over this assumption. 70.93% growers were satisfied to some extent and 10.47 percent highly satisfied for followup of instructions on the label. Regarding adverse effects of indiscriminate use of pesticides on animals and other ecosystem, majority (63.95%) was satisfied to some extent, 30.23 percent were highly satisfied and 5.81 percent were not satisfied. Majority (53.49%) was satisfied to some extent on adoption and effectiveness of traditional methods of pesticide application; 31.40 percent were not satisfied and 15.12 percent were highly satisfied. Most of the cotton growers (40.70%) agreed to some extent, 32.56 percent strongly agreed and 26.74 percent disagreed that use of pesticide creates environmental problems; while 89.53% strongly agreed that the use of pesticide increases the yield of cotton. 39.53% agreed, 34.88 percent strongly agreed and 25.58 percent disagreed that underground water is contaminated by the use of pesticides. 36.05% agreed to some extent, 32.56 percent disagreed and 31.40 percent strongly agreed that use of pesticides spray on cotton crop is harmful for biological life. 43.02% growers strongly agreed, 38.37 percent agreed to some extent and 18.60 percent disagreed that abundant use of pesticides pollutes the atmosphere. 65.12% growers strongly agreed, 22.09 percent disagreed and 12.79 percent agreed to some extent that natural taste of food due to pesticidal sprays is changed. For motivation of cotton growers for proper application of pesticides, growers were optimistic for training programs (94.19%); motivational campaigns (65.12); through education (89.53), extension activities (95.35%); and mass media (56.98%). Neighboring farmer was the chief source of information for cotton growers, followed by TV, Radio, Dem. Plots, newspaper, contact farmer, research worker, Magazines and extension worker ranked. In cotton growers’ problems, financial constraints ranked 1st, adult rated pesticides ranked 2nd, afraid of loss ranked 3rd, lack of knowledge ranked 4th and non-availability of pesticides and other inputs remained the least ranked 5th. Keywords: Farmer Knowledge, Pesticides, Cotto

The Political Economy of Decentralisation and Access to Pro-poor Social Services Delivery in Pakistan

A key argument made by several economists with respect to decentralisation reform is that it can reduce poverty. This assertion is based on the view that it leads to improvements in public sector services delivery. The efficient provision of public goods by the local governments may occur because of their ability to take into account local determinants while providing services, such as health and education [Oates (1972)]. It may also be due to competition, as local governments encourage the provision of efficient public services to, and lower tax burdens on the lower strata of society [Brennan and Buchanan (1980)]

FISCAL DECENTRALISATION AND POLITICAL ECONOMY OF POVERTY REDUCTION: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

This thesis explores the relationship between fiscal decentralisation and poverty. The thesis consists of four parts. First part reviews the related literature addressing different aspects of fiscal decentralisation and poverty and highlighting the research gap that this thesis intends to address. It also explains the possible channels through which fiscal decentralisation potentially affects poverty. Second part describes the political economy, fiscal decentralisation and poverty in Pakistan. It underlines that fiscal policy decisions in Pakistan are made to reflect many vested interest groups and institutions that may be failed to provide basic social services. Additionally, it discusses the development of federalism and fiscal decentralisation in Pakistan and shows that how the vertical and horizontal resource distribution affect the social and economic development of the provinces. This part also discusses various approaches, measurements and trends of poverty in Pakistan. Third part presents a systematic relationship between fiscal decentralisation and poverty both theoretically and empirically. The theoretical framework implies that if the federal transfer rate is larger, then the decentralisation measure will be greater. Since a larger federal transfer rate reduces poverty, poverty and expenditure decentralisation are expected to be negatively related. In addition to the model, there is an extensive empirical study on Pakistan to look at the impact of fiscal decentralisation on poverty besides investigating the potential channels through pro-poor sectoral outcomes. Ordinary Least Squared, Fixed and Radom Effect Models and Generalised Method of Moment Instrumental Variables methodology is used on simple time series as well as panel datasets covering four provinces of Pakistan over the period from 1975 to 2009. The empirical results suggest a strong relationship between expenditure decentralisation and poverty – proxy alternatively by headcount poverty, poverty gap, severity of poverty and the human development index. Both rural and urban poverty reduction have statistically significant relationship with expenditure decentralisation. The results also reveal that decentralisation improves pro-poor sectoral outcomes of education, health and agriculture that consequently affect poverty. The last part illustrates the effectiveness of the devolution reforms by transferring fiscal, political and administrative authorities to local governments on certain social and economic sectors that are believed to be pro-poor. The evidence shows that the devolution significantly changes the size and magnitude of investment on many social and economic sectors. In all provinces, the investment increases in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, water management, water supply and sanitation, rural development and the civil work. Since these services are strongly associated with local needs, it is reasonable to conclude that the devolution implicitly enhances the living standard of the local communities, especially the poor

Pangaea

Pangaea is a collection of poems that revolve around themes of race, culture, identity, religion, faith, mental illness, death, and love. The themes in Pangaea aim to pinpoint the where all these ideas intersect in the body and the heart, each theme a continent on its own right coming together to make the overall landmass of human existence. In Pangaea, I am asking to find the root of urgency that drives one to love, to hate, to feel. This thesis is an attempt at unearthing that root

POLITICAL ECONOMY OF BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN: A CRITICAL REVIEW

This paper aims at exploring the political economy of Balochistan and the underlying causes of social and economic development of the province. The paper presents a brief and critical account on the historical development of the Baloch nation and nationhood. The paper argues that The Baloch notwithstanding having a huge and resourceful land has failed to keep the pace of socio-economic development and modernity with other fellow nations in the region. After the independence of Pakistan and the formation of Balochistan as a province of Pakistan, the Baloch because of her political disorganization and economic backwardness failed to exert herself within the federation to grab the resource share. The story of economic and social backwardness of the Baloch and Balochistan is a multifaceted puzzle. A section of the Baloch nationalists believe that the centralist nature of Pakistani federation is such that small nationalities like the Baloch would find it hard to accommodate within the federation. That is because, the resource distribution and representation to both elected bodies and state institutions are based upon population, and Balochistan in spite of having 44% of Pakistan territory accommodates only 5% of country’s total population. The paper also touches the geostrategic importance of Balochistan and underlines its economic difficulty in terms of the dearth of human resources, physical infrastructure, economic autonomy, productivity among others