UNESCO award for floating schools in Chalanbeel wetland

Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha of Bangladesh has received the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy-2025 in recognition of its efforts to deliver education through floating schools to disadvantaged communities in the Chalanbeel wetland region. The award was presented to its founder, Mohammad Rezwan, at an event at Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre on Wednesday afternoon, June 10.

The floating school project of Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha provides educational support on the waterways of Chalanbeel, the largest wetland in Bangladesh. Due to poor communication, especially during the monsoon season, it is extremely difficult for local children to attend regular schools. In this context, boat-based floating schools equipped with all classroom facilities are creating new educational opportunities.

Sidhulai currently operates 56 boats. Among these, 26 are used as floating classrooms, 10 as floating libraries and computer labs, and eight as training centres. Other boats are used for healthcare, sports and transport activities. Each boat is equipped with solar power.

Mohammad Rezwan, executive director of Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha and an architect by profession, said, "Sustainable solutions are built on the knowledge, experience and participation of local people. This recognition is an acknowledgment of the collective efforts of countless people working in remote areas of the country and an inspiration to reach more people in the future."

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, chief guest at the event, said initiatives tailored to local realities are particularly important for delivering education to climate-vulnerable and remote areas. Such activities not only increase inclusion in education but also help make future generations more capable and confident.

Along with Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, this year's award also went to the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) of Ireland and the Ministry of Education of Morocco. Since 1967, UNESCO has been giving International Literacy Prizes in recognition of excellence and innovation in the literacy sector. The award, supported financially by the Chinese government, carries a monetary value of $30,000. Previously, Friendship received this award in 2023 from Bangladesh, and Dhaka Ahsania Mission received it in 2013.