Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha has formally received the UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize 2025 in recognition of its solar-powered floating school initiative serving communities in the Chalan Beel wetlands, adding another international accolade to Bangladesh’s literacy and education sector.
The award was presented at a ceremony organised by UNESCO Dhaka on Wednesday. Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha was selected as one of three global recipients of the prize in 2025 alongside Ireland’s National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) and Morocco’s Ministry of Education for innovative literacy programmes supporting rural populations and out-of-school youth.
Bobby Hajjaj, state minister for primary and mass education, attended the event as chief guest. Special guests included Devabrata Chakraborty, director general (additional charge) of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE), and Rasheda K Choudhury, executive director (CEO) of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE).
The programme was chaired by Dr Susan Vize, head of office and UNESCO representative to Bangladesh. Norihide Furukawa, head of education at UNESCO Dhaka, opened the event with an overview of the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025 and this year’s theme, “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”.
Addressing the event, Bobby Hajjaj said ensuring access to quality education for every child remains a national priority, particularly in climate-vulnerable and geographically isolated areas.
“Such initiatives not only expand educational inclusion but also help equip future generations with the knowledge and confidence they need to thrive. The Government of Bangladesh working to support and scale effective approaches that leave no learner behind,” he said in a press statement.
Susan Vize highlighted the broader role of literacy in promoting inclusion and resilience.
“Literacy is about much more than learning to read and write. It empowers people to make informed decisions, seize opportunities and participate actively in society,” she said.
The award-winning floating school project operates across the waterways of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh’s largest wetland system, where transportation challenges often limit access to education, particularly during the monsoon season.
According to UNESCO, the initiative uses boats equipped as classrooms to provide educational services to communities that would otherwise struggle to maintain regular school attendance when rivers and canals overflow.
The project incorporates traditional boat-building knowledge and local materials while using solar-powered systems to support environmentally sustainable operations.
Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha currently operates 56 boats. Of these, 26 function as classrooms, 10 serve as libraries and computer laboratories, eight are used as training centres, while the remaining vessels support healthcare services, playground activities and transportation.
Architect Mohammed Rezwan, executive director of Sidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, said the recognition reflected the contributions of local communities involved in the initiative.
“Sustainable solutions are built on the knowledge, experience and participation of local communities,” he said.
He added that the award would serve as an inspiration to expand outreach efforts and support more people in remote areas.
The UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize, supported by the People’s Republic of China, recognises outstanding literacy initiatives around the world and awards three organisations annually. Each recipient receives a prize valued at US$30,000.
Bangladesh has previously received the award through FRIENDSHIP in 2023 and Dhaka Ahsania Mission in 2013.
UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have recognised excellence and innovation in literacy programmes worldwide since 1967.
