The Korail School was founded in the mid-1990s and offers educational programs from nursery up to 8th grade. Around 300 children currently attend the school, which is supported by a dedicated team of twelve staff members – from the principal and teachers to the cook. The school, like the Manda and Gandaria Schools, is run by the local NGO Glory Future Model School. The students come from very poor families, including children of rickshaw drivers, domestic helpers, street cleaners, textile workers, market vendors, tea sellers, and many other professions in the informal sector.
The underprivileged area of Korail is located in the heart of the megacity of Dhaka and is separated from the affluent district of Gulshan by only a small lake. It is estimated that up to 200,000 people live here under very basic conditions. Through the educational programs offered by the Korail School, up to 300 children have the opportunity to use schooling as a pathway to a better future.
To counter malnutrition and undernourishment, the children receive a hot meal every school day. Regular home visits help keep the school dropout rate very low, as parents are encouraged to send their children to school rather than having them work.
All students receive school supplies as well as a school uniform. In addition, a small fee is charged as tuition. If a family is unable to pay this amount for financial reasons, the child is, of course, still allowed to attend school.
The school leaving certificate is officially recognized and allows students to transition to secondary schools, the attendance of which must, however, be financed independently. Particularly high-achieving students also have the opportunity to continue their education and eventually attend university through a scholarship program offered by Austrian Doctors. This opens up long-term prospects and gives them the chance to fully realize their potential.
"I have been working with Austrian Doctors for many years. Many years in which, thanks to you, countless children were given the opportunity to go to school and learn. Education is the future of Bangladesh."
Management of the school projects in Bangladesh
The following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being advanced through this project:
The local NGO “Glory Future Model School” is, as with the Manda School and the Gandaria School, the operating organization.
