Current Reality
Asif, a 5th grader in rural Bangladesh, dreams of exploring the world through the internet—but his school has no computer, and his family doesn’t own a smartphone. When classes moved online during the pandemic, he was left behind, facing 26 months of learning loss—on top of a pre-existing literacy crisis where 57% of children were already struggling (World Bank, 2023).
As Bangladesh shifts toward a modern education system emphasizing critical thinking and digital learning, the digital divide has become more urgent. While urban students often have devices, they lack digital literacy—45% of adolescents have faced cyberbullying (UNICEF, 2020). In rural areas, 49% of households lack computers and only 41% have smartphones (BRAC, 2023), leaving students like Asif disconnected and at risk of falling further behind.
To close this gap, we must train teachers in blended learning and provide students with digital tools and safe online practices. Bridging the digital divide is essential to ensure every child in Bangladesh can thrive in a rapidly changing world.