Factors Affecting Variations in the Achievement of Competencies: A Case Study of BRAC Primary School

Abstract

Under a broader aim of exploring the quality of BRAC Education Programme (BEP), this study aims to examine the level of competency achievement of the BRAC primary school students graduated in 2005. Randomly selected 5,946 students (65% girls) from 298 schools under 150 BEP programme areas were sampled for the test. In addition, background information of the students, schools, teachers, programme organizers, and area managers were collected. In general, the students did very well in the test with an average achievement of 22.7 competencies, and 10% of the students achieved all the 27 competencies under test. Proportion of contents in the textbooks taught in the classes, duration of attachment of programme organizers with the schools, experience of area managers and religion of the students came out as significant predictors of performance of the schools. A number of suggestions were also made.