Generational poverty persists within families across the world. This cycle of generational poverty is perpetuated by many factors, including inadequate health care, economic challenges and, most importantly, access to education and the quality of education. Moreover, the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) states that individuals who grow up in low-income families are more likely to experience poverty in early adulthood, suggesting the grave impact of generational poverty.

However, research shows that education can and does break poverty cycles. UNESCO-led research has proven that 171 million people worldwide could escape extreme poverty by completing secondary education. Education is pivotal in transforming the cycle of generational poverty and hunger. Education is a crucial lever for economic improvement and social change. It provides individuals with skills and knowledge to secure a better livelihood for families combating poverty. Early childhood education is among the best options for tackling long-term and generational poverty. The impact of foundational learning has long-term success and breaks poverty from an early age. Bangladesh has made significant growth in terms of early childhood education and development.

Generational Poverty in Bangladesh

Although Bangladesh has made great strides in combating poverty, half of the population is “vulnerable to poverty.” Economic growth has contributed to poverty reduction but has slowed down; between 2010 and 2016, GDP growth rapidly increased while poverty reduction decreased. The change in economic sectoral composition further explains the progress in poverty reduction across Bangladesh.

In addition, urban areas saw minimal progress in reducing poverty, while other areas in Bangladesh were making significant progress. In urban areas across Western Bangladesh, there has been significantly faster progress in reducing family size and access to education. Rural and remote areas face school shortages, infrastructure and trained teachers. Children in these areas often lack access to quality education.

Many impoverished families cannot afford education costs, such as tuition, books and transportation. Therefore, child labor, especially amongst young boys, has remained a common practice. Families rely on income from their children’s labor to survive. According to a UNICEF report, 51% of women in Bangladesh were married before turning 18, and around 18% are under the age of 15. With young women in Bangladesh, there is a clear link between schooling and early marriage. The encouragement of girls to pursue motherhood rather than education is high; many cannot attend school because of pressure and financial incapability.

Government and NGO Initiatives

The government of Bangladesh provides free and compulsory primary education for all. This initiative has increased enrollment rates significantly from 80% in 2000 to 98% in 2015. The government also financially supports families who are in extreme poverty. UNICEF states that “more girls are going to school and staying in school than ever before.”

BRAC offers free non-formal education for students. This initiative focuses on providing children with schooling, those specifically not in government education or private schools. The organization supports “about 23,000 schools across all 64 districts and has 700,000 students enrolled in Bangladesh.”

Moreover, the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest, a government-led initiative supported by the World Bank, significantly reduced poverty and improved household resilience in Bangladesh. It also provided vital short-term employment for people during critical periods, particularly focusing on helping vulnerable rural populations.

Conclusion

Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of generational poverty in Bangladesh. Through government’s and NGOs’ efforts to improve socio-economic conditions, education can transform individuals and entire communities. However, to fully solve the issue of generational poverty, challenges must be addressed on a deeper scale, through sustained investments and policies.

– Gufran Elhrari

Gufran is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

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