Architect Mohammed Rezwan’s solar-powered floating school initiative has been awarded UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize 2025.
The announcement was made on Friday through a press release issued by the Siddhulai Self-Reliant Organisation.
The press release stated that, out of hundreds of global nominations, UNESCO selected three initiatives as winners. These include Siddhulai Floating School from Bangladesh, Ireland’s Learn with Nala e-learning programme, and Morocco’s Second Chance School and Inclusive Education Programme.
The 20th award ceremony took place on 27 September in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in Shandong Province, China.
Rezwan said, “Growing up in the flood-prone region of Chalanbil, where schools were often closed due to annual floods, inspired me develop a unique solution in 2002.”
UNESCO commended the initiative, stating, “The success of this floating school lies in its innovative, locally created approach to delivering literacy education to marginalised communities in flood-prone areas.”
The floating school model is now being replicated by various NGOs in Bangladesh, and it has
Mohammad Rezwan also said, “Education is not just about reading and writing; it builds peace, equality, and tolerance. I hope the power of literacy and knowledge will empower our youth to create a future where no disaster can halt a child’s education.”
A photographic exhibition titled ‘Boat Schools of Bangladesh—Future That Floats’ is currently being held at the National Museum of Immigration History in France as part of the ‘Migrations and Climate Exhibition’.
Rezwan’s work was also featured in the book Low-Tech: Water by Julia Watson, which shows 22 modern, heritage-based innovations worldwide.
