Review of Bangladesh Stipend Programs

• Worked with Maxwell Stamp Ltd. a company based in Bangladesh.

RRD is involved as team leader in undertaking a comparative analysis of the four Bangladesh Secondary Education Stipend projects/programs currently in existence in a review of Bangladesh Stipend Programs. The study is to provide a formulation of single comparative study with design, economic analysis, and implementation recommendations for a single harmonized stipend program.

Together with a local consultancy firm Maxwell Stamp Limited, RRD, by order of the Asian Development Bank, headed a team of experts tasked with reviewing various stipend programs in Bangladesh.

The long-term objectives of the stipend projects/programs include:

• Ensuring equitable access and retention of poor learners into Higher School Certificate level;
• Reduce marriage of female students up to 18 years and/or promote access into Higher School Certificate level;
• Ensure Primary School Certificate (PSC) graduates continuing their education at the secondary level;
• Reduced drop-out rates at the secondary level;

The overall objective of the Stipend Review was to undertake a comparative analysis of the four (4) Bangladesh Secondary Education Stipend projects/programs currently in existence. The study is to provide a single comparative study with design, economic analysis, and implementation recommendations for a single harmonized stipend program.

The recommendation of the study team was that the government adopt a proxy means test approach to selecting stipend recipients, but retain a role for head teachers and education officials in assisting students in the application process and in verification of recipients eligibility.

In implementing a harmonized stipend program, the team recommend that a few steps need to be undertaken as part of an initial implementation plan i.e.

1. Specify the rationale and objectives of the program;
2. Determine the scope of the program in terms of the duration and budget to operate it and provide for stipends;
3. Formulate eligibility rules for the program;
4. Determine stipend rate;
5. Determine recipient selection methodology used and disbursement plan for the stipends;
6. Establish a financial management system.
7. Establish a monitoring and evaluation system.
8. Link the stipend program with the eventual student data system.