When Children are Seen and Heard - Child Councils in Bangladesh

Children on the Edge view all the children we work with as stakeholders in their own future, rather than passive recipients of aid.

Ensuring meaningful participation in our programmes includes encouraging children to evaluate our work, share their perspectives on decisions affecting them, and make sure the most marginalised children are heard.

In Bangladesh, in addition to their involvement in our regular programme monitoring and evaluation, our child councils offer a space where children in Kutupalong refugee camp, Bhasan Char island and Cox’s Bazar slum communities can further shape the schools and bring their ideas. They can also talk about issues that are affecting them, learn about their rights and share their knowledge with friends and families.

“Child Councils represent the whole school and, because of what they share, teachers and project staff get support and ideas to improve. They have a great influence in the programme. A quality of leadership grows among the child council members, and this leadership in turn helps the community”.

Sudeb Rudra - Programme Manager, Cox’s Bazar

Councils love to come up with ideas for the popular ‘Moja Kids’ video newsletter and to take care of the gardens surrounding the schools. They also work with teachers to encourage good attendance and check on any peers that are struggling with learning. 

Many members have shared helpful health and hygiene in their communities, promoted the importance of education, and encouraged the teaching of siblings at home. 

Rebeka Khatun, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer says:

"Child Council engagement brings long-term benefits to the Rohingya community, fostering a sense of identity. It sends a powerful message: you are important and you belong. Children begin to understand wider society as a whole — what actions work and do not work, and what values, sensitivities, and hopes we all share”.

MEET SHAKIB

12-year-old Shakib lives in a remote village in Bangladesh and attends the community school we support here. He loves to learn and especially enjoys the video lessons. He excels in maths and likes to play sports in his school’s beautiful garden.

As a member of the Child Council, Shakib shares his opinions on school activities and helps teachers implement them. He also participated in ‘Moja Kids’ as a journalist, boosting his confidence.

Shakib's father, a member of the School Management Committee, says that most elderly people in the area are illiterate: “If this school was not here, boys and girls would not have had the chance to get an education. People see my son doing so well that they are encouraged to send their children to school as well. I hope that an educated generation will be created here”.