Senior government officials, development partners, and education stakeholders convened in Dhaka today to launch coordination under the Climate Smart Education Systems Initiative (CSESI), a national effort to strengthen Bangladesh’s education system against the growing impacts of climate change.
Bangladesh faced extended closures last year, keeping children out of school for longer periods and resulting in learning loss. Supported by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), CSESI aims to integrate climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability into education sector plans, budgets, and strategies to mitigate these challenges.
The introductory coordination workshop brought together members of the CSESI National Working Committee, representatives from the Ministry of Education, UNESCO, and Save the Children. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Badrun Nahar, NDC, Additional Secretary (Development) at the Ministry of Education, and Convenor of the CSESI National Working Committee.
The workshop focused on aligning CSESI with government priorities, clarifying roles across ministries, and strengthening coordination through a dedicated Climate Change Education Coordination Taskforce. Participants reviewed existing coordination mechanisms, identified gaps, and agreed on next steps, including selecting focal points and commissioning Save the Children to develop the Taskforce’s Terms of Reference.
The session was facilitated by Mohammad Altaf Hossain, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education, and CSESI Focal Person. Senior officials provided technical guidance to ensure that the program complements national strategies and contributes to long-term system strengthening.
Ms. Badrun Nahar, NDC, Additional Secretary (Development), Ministry of Education, and Convenor of the CSESI National Working Committee (Chair of this Coordination Meeting):
We appreciate the support of our development partners, whose contributions enable us to advance this important work. I would also like to encourage my colleagues and fellow government officials to actively participate and extend the necessary support to achieve the objectives of this coordination committee. Our joint commitment and cooperation are crucial to delivering on our shared agenda effectively.
Ms. Tanzila Khanom, Joint Secretary (Policy and Reform), Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh and Focal Person for CSESI (Special Guest):
Bangladesh is a climate‑vulnerable country, and it is essential that our education system integrates and strengthens climate resilience among future generations. Although the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the link between education and climate resilience, different ministries are currently addressing climate adaptation and resilience separately. But there is a coordination gap, particularly in aligning co-relation with the Ministry of Education. We are hopeful that the National Working Committee will play a pivotal role in advancing Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and ensuring a more coordinated approach. Climate finance is another important area that requires our attention as we move forward. I would also like to request Save the Children to take into consideration the diverse geographic and socio‑economic realities of our country while developing the climate‑resilient infrastructure guidelines.
Through CSESI, Bangladesh will advance climate-smart planning, strengthen institutional capacity, improve access to finance, and enhance school-level preparedness for climate shocks. The initiative is expected to promote a more coherent, multi-sectoral approach that protects learning continuity and supports students, teachers and communities in the face of climate risks.
The workshop marked the first step in building a coordinated national platform to ensure that climate resilience becomes an integral part of Bangladesh’s education system.
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