Engaging CR Stations to produce CLP related to Skill Development

Dhaka, Dec 20^th, 2016: Right after Vijay Diwas, on Dec 17^th, Rupantar, an NGO based in Bangladesh, with support from CEMCA, launched a programme for 5 CR Stations, namely, Radio Nalta, Radio Lokobetar, Radio Sagar Giri, Radio NaF and Radio Pollikontho with an intent to engage these CR Stations to bring about a positive impact in the lives of people by helping them secure sustainable livelihoods. The project has been designed with five distinct parts. The first part involves conducting a Baseline Survey for about 1000 youth in the community to understand their aspirations and their current level of education and exposure to opportunities available in vocational education. This survey will also help to identify traditional skills of the community and the challenges they are facing in becoming sustainable. The survey will be followed up by Focussed Group Discussions leading to identification of issues around which Community Learning Programmes will be produced. There will be about 100 radio spots and an equal number of long episodes produced by the CR Stations which will also conduct Field Activities for the Community helping youth enroll into vocational courses, open university or find employment or self-employment. This is quite an ambitious intervention and the first of its kind which guarantees financial sustainability to the CR Stations. The programme was inaugurated by the CEO of National Skill Development Council Secretariat, Shri A B M Khorshed Alam. Mr. Khorshed Alam, addressed the gathering and urged them to work towards building a “Skilled Bangladesh”, so that the citizens of Bangladesh find livelihoods with dignity within the country and outside the country. The Executive Directors of Rupantar, Shri Rafiqul Kohkan and Shri S. K. Guha were present in both the inauguration and valediction of the programme. Shri Saifuddin Sabuj from Rupantar conducted the three-day orientation programme with great efficiency and effectiveness and was assisted by Shri Sumon Francis Gomes as the technical resource person. Dr. Kabir Mia, formerly working with ILO, told the group about the National Skill Development Policy and explained the role of various stakeholders in the Skill Ecology. Dr. Ankuran Dutta, HOD, Dept. of Media & Journalism, Gauhati University was the resource person who equipped the participants with the required knowledge to produce Community Learning Programmes. This programme marks the beginning of a long journey set in front of the participating CR Stations, Rupantar & CEMCA.