‘Engage Toolkit’ will play a significant role in developing children’s creativity and intelligence: Speakers at BRAC IED event

Teachers in traditional education settings often prioritise academic curricula and plan classroom activities based on their own preferences. In contrast, the Engage Toolkit places greater emphasis on children’s abilities, interests and choices, speakers said at an event in Cox’s Bazar today (Thursday).

They highlighted that the toolkit will enhance the creativity and talent of both Bangladeshi and Rohingya children.

The event, titled ‘Dissemination Event: Engage Toolkit’, was organised by the Institute of Educational Development (IED) of BRAC University at a local hotel in Cox’s Bazar. Md Shamsud Douza, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Joint Secretary), attended as the chief guest, according to a media release. 

Rezaul Karim, Associate Director and Office In-Charge (OIC) of BRAC's Humanitarian Crisis Management Programme (HCMP), delivered the welcome remarks.

The programme was moderated by Sayed Mahmud Sunny, Senior Manager, Partnership and Communications, BRAC IED, and Nadya Hossain, Senior Manager, Human Resources (HR) and Administration.

Presentations on the Engage Toolkit were delivered by Meghan Silander, Principal Researcher at the Education Development Centre (EDC); Professor Hirokazu Yoshikawa of New York University (NYU); and Researcher Sharon Kim.

Additionally, Shakila Yesmin, Senior Researcher at BRAC IED, and Imtiaz Ridoy, Researcher at Street Child—a UK-based international development organisation—provided an overview of the toolkit’s practical applications.

Syeda Sazia Zaman, Programme Head, BRAC IED, delivered the closing remarks.

Speakers noted that the Engage Toolkit supports the cognitive development of children aged 0–12 and promotes child-centred, play-based learning in humanitarian contexts. They also emphasised its potential to strengthen pre-primary and primary education systems in Bangladesh.

Chief guest Md Shamsud Douza praised the initiative, saying, “The toolkit presented here is excellent. However, we must prioritise its practical application. We also need to think more deeply about the education and future of Rohingya children.”

The Engage Toolkit has been developed through collaboration with RTI International, New York University (NYU) Global Ties for Children, EDC, Street Child, aeioTU, Unlimited Child, JET Education, BRAC Uganda, and BRAC IED, with support from the LEGO Foundation.

The toolkit is currently being implemented in five countries- Bangladesh, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Colombia, the release adds.