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Prottasha's School Programme gives hope to students
"I had no idea about the stipend that the Government gives to migrants' children until the school programme was held at my school. I have received a stipend from the Government that gives me hope and encouragement continue my education. Additionally, I know how to make informed migration decisions. I thank the Prottasha project for arranging the school programme and making students aware of safe migration." - Tamim Shaik.
Tamim Shaik (14), a ninth-grade student from G. K. S. K. High School under Dumuria Upazila (subdistrict) in Khulna District, expressed his gratitude to the Prottasha project while talking to the Prottasha project team.
In 2019, along with another 100 students, Tamim attended Prottasha's school programme. Through the video show, interactive session, and quiz show, he learnt of the different aspects of migration, including safe migration, reintegration, and migration governance. The video documentary provided information on the consequences of irregular migration and how safe migration can be ensured.
It also includes the information on support available from the Government, particularly from the District Employment & Manpower Office (DEMO) on migrants and their communities. The underlying objective of the school programme is to inform and educate the students on safe migration so that they can make an informed decision if they want to migrate abroad in future.
During the school programme, Tamim informed that his father is a migrant worker working in Malaysia. Despite having his father's income from overseas, Tamim and his family have inadequate resources to maintain their living expenses, particularly the cost of his education. The Prottasha project team at the field level noted the information and communicated with the local DEMO office to help Tamim receive an education stipend from the Government. Tamim and his family collected all relevant documents and applied for the grant with support under the project. Finally, Tamim was selected and received a cheque worth 3,800 BDT (44 USD).
Tamim also shares his learning on safe migration with his family and community. Additionally, he is now more determined and hopeful to continue his education.
Under the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh, IOM is implementing the EU-funded Project: Prottasha in partnership with BRAC for the sustainable reintegration of returnees and the progressive achievement of goal 10.7 to facilitate safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including the implementation of planned and well-managed policies.
One of the components of the project is 'Awareness Raising' with community interventions such as the School Programme aiming to ensure returning migrants, aspirant migrants, families, communities, local Government, and private sector make informed migration decisions, and promote safe, orderly and regular migration. Throughout the 10 Reintegration Service Centers (RSCs) across the country, the project conducted 322 School Programmes and reached approximately 49,296 students (22,956 boys and 26,340 girls). Tamim is one such participant.
