Bangladesh's floating schools win UNESCO literacy prize

Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, a Bangladeshi organization, has been honored with the prestigious UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize 2025 for its innovative solar-powered floating school project.

The initiative specifically targets remote communities residing in the Chalan Beel wetlands, one of Bangladesh's largest wetland systems. These areas often face significant challenges in accessing education due to poor transportation, particularly during the monsoon season when waterways swell and become difficult to navigate.

The floating schools are essentially boats equipped with classroom facilities, built using traditional local boat-building techniques and materials. Each vessel is powered by solar energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices. Currently, Shidhulai operates a fleet of 56 boats, which include 26 dedicated classrooms, 10 mobile libraries and computer labs, eight training centers, and others providing healthcare, playground facilities, and transport services.

Architect Mohammed Rezwan, the founder of the floating schools and executive director of Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, accepted the award at a ceremony organized by UNESCO's Dhaka office. The UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize is recognized globally as one of the highest honors for advancing education and lifelong learning, particularly for innovative literacy initiatives supporting rural communities and out-of-school youth.

Shidhulai was selected as one of three global recipients, alongside organizations from Ireland and Morocco. This recognition highlights the project's success in overcoming geographical barriers to provide essential educational and support services to underserved populations in the Chalan Beel region.