Eliminating Illiteracy by Integrating ICTs in CLCs: An Innovative Lifelong Learning Approach in Bangladesh

This study represents an assessment of educational use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in Bangladesh. As ICTs had achieved some progress towards removing illiteracy during last few years, thus ICTs extended potentials to deliver basic education and continuing education services for illiterates throughout the country. It can play an important role in attracting people towards education through application of up-dated and sophisticated devices and tools like ICT based education. The specific objectives of the study were to: identify the types of ICT tools exits in the Community Learning Centers; find out physical-infrastructure available to facilitate or enhance ICT uses; determining the age and gender profile of ICT users; assess the English language skills of ICT users; and describe the profile of ICT facilitators. A sample of 10 ICT centers from 4 districts run by different NGOs were chosen for conducting the survey. The data were collected through: (i) Structured interview; (ii) Interviewing school teachers and local key informants; (iii) Focus group discussion sessions (users, beneficiaries, members of each center). The danger of a growing digital divide, there is also a growing knowledge divide. There are striking disparities between rich and poor countries in their investment and capacity in science and technology (S&T). The poorest regions of the world have the lowest access to information and communication resources, but they can also leverage opportunities for leapfrogging as the dynamics of a knowledge-based economy are better understood. The expected outcome of the study is to ensure Lifelong Learning in Bangladesh for eliminating the illiteracy by integrating ICTs in CLCs.