The Executive Director of BRAC conducted a site visit to a Primary School led by the community in Bileisori Upazila

On April 17, 2023, the Gaskaba Sora non-government Primary School received a visit from a team of esteemed individuals from BRAC, led by Asif Saleh, the honorable Executive Director, BRAC. The team included Safi Rahman Khan, Director of Education, Skills Development, and Migration at BRAC; Raj Kishor Roy, Divisional Manager of Education; Ataur Rahman, BRAC; Rangamati Area Manager, Puspita Chakma and Habibur Rahman, BRAC. The visit was made possible by Taungya and Dr. Parash Khisa, Secretary of Taungya, Rajib Chakma, Treasurer, Manabasish Chakma, Governing Body Member and Pranajit Dewan, ED of Taungya, who all attended the field visit. The visit was particularly special as it was graced by the presence of the Rani Yan Yan honorable Advisor of honorable Chakma Raja and chairperson of Taungya, Barrister Devasish Roy that joined the team to observe the situation of the school and the community.

Honorable Chakma Rani was warmly received by the students at their school

The Gaskabasora School is located in Bileisori Upazila between the border of Kutubdia and Barudgola mauza. It is one of the 43 community schools that Taungya supported under the “Integrated Support to Promote Primary Education in Remote Areas of Rangamati Hill Tracts”- ISPPERARHT Project, which was funded by the Manusher Jonno Foundation and phased out after 2019.

Anyway, the school goers and villagers warmly receive the visitors and in the non-formal meeting the team discussed about the schooling and role of the community, teacher and local leaders during open discussion session. Villagers shares about the crisis of drinking water, livelihood limitation and primary health service situation during the meeting.

The villagers engaged in discussions with the visiting delegation during their visit

After the visit on the 18 April, the team also visited Taungya Head Office and discussed on various development initiatives undertaken by Taungya. Representatives of Taungya shares experience of project implementation challenges, monitoring strategy in the remote corners in CHT. Taungya governing Body member Mr. Rupak Khisa, Ms. Anjulika Khisa also attend the meeting with Secretary Dr. Parash Khisa and Treasurer Rajib Chakma along with Taungya senior staff members.

Taungya Team shares its activities in CHT

Overall, the visit was a memorable one and it highlighted the importance of education in remote and hard to reach pocket areas of CHT. The team was able to witness firsthand the impact of the project and the positive changes it has brought to the community. It was a great opportunity for everyone involved to come together and observe the success of the project after nearly six years of completion.