UN 
- BRAC’s STEM-for-Girls will reach 500,000 students by 2026.
- UNICEF is providing financial and technical support.
- National curriculum integration is scheduled for October 2026.
The STEM-for-Girls initiative, pioneered by BRAC in Bangladesh, aims to address gender gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by directly reaching 500,000 female students across secondary schools nationwide. UNICEF has committed both funding and technical assistance to support the scale-up and integration into government-led education systems. According to a joint announcement released in Dhaka, the programme targets October 2026 for full inclusion in the national curriculum, aligning with the Ministry of Education’s curriculum review cycle.
BRAC and UNICEF report that Bangladesh currently ranks among the lowest in South Asia for girls’ participation in STEM fields, with less than 30% female enrolment in secondary-level science streams as of 2023 (Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics). The initiative will focus on teacher training, curriculum enrichment, and community engagement to foster a more inclusive approach, explicitly aiming to reverse these trends by 2026. UNICEF’s support includes a $5 million grant for capacity building and monitoring impact metrics.
While the expansion has been widely welcomed by educational NGOs and multilateral agencies, previous similar pledges in the region have faced challenges in transitioning from pilot phases to sustained delivery. The current BRAC-UNICEF programme distinguishes itself by embedding monitoring targets and annual public reporting, with a specific focus on measuring enrolment and retention of girls in STEM subjects each year until 2026. Both organizations have emphasized transparency to guard against greenwashing and to ensure accountability for progress rather than mere intention.
Education policymakers in Bangladesh note that integration of the initiative into the national curriculum is subject to official review and approval processes, which are scheduled for completion by October 2026. Until then, the programme will operate in parallel, focusing on 1,200 pilot schools in 2024 and scaling up annually. Independent evaluations are planned for late 2025, with interim results to inform final curriculum revisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of BRAC’s STEM-for-Girls initiative in Bangladesh?
BRAC’s STEM-for-Girls programme, supported by UNICEF, will reach 500,000 secondary school girls by 2026, covering 1,200 schools in the first year and expanding nationwide. The initiative focuses on teacher training, curriculum development, and tracking participation in STEM subjects to close gender gaps in science and technology education.
How is UNICEF supporting the expansion of STEM-for-Girls?
UNICEF is providing both financial and technical support for the STEM-for-Girls scale-up, including a $5 million grant, teacher training, curriculum advisory services, and impact monitoring. UNICEF’s involvement aims to ensure evidence-based delivery and transparent annual reporting on progress up to 2026.
Will the programme be part of Bangladesh’s official national curriculum by 2026?
The initiative aims for full integration into Bangladesh’s national curriculum by October 2026, pending approval by the Ministry of Education. Until then, the programme will operate in selected schools, with independent evaluations scheduled to inform the official curriculum adoption process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BRAC’s STEM-for-Girls initiative in Bangladesh?
BRAC’s STEM-for-Girls initiative, supported by UNICEF, aims to reach 500,000 secondary school girls by 2026 to increase female participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
How much funding is UNICEF providing for the STEM-for-Girls programme?
UNICEF is providing $5 million in funding and technical support for the expansion of the STEM-for-Girls initiative.
When will the STEM-for-Girls programme be integrated into Bangladesh’s national curriculum?
Full integration into Bangladesh’s national curriculum is targeted for October 2026, pending official review and approval.
How many schools will participate in the initial phase of the STEM-for-Girls programme?
The programme will start with 1,200 pilot schools in 2024 and scale up annually.
What is the current rate of female enrolment in secondary-level science streams in Bangladesh?
As of 2023, less than 30% of students enrolled in secondary-level science streams in Bangladesh are female.
