A Methodist Church Minister, late Revd. J. P. Hastings was a British citizen. He had a long living experience about the poor and disadvantaged communities in the urban and rural areas of India and Bangladesh. The Honorable Member of British Empire (MBE) Revd. J. P. Hastings founded Nijera Shikhi in 1993 along with 20 eminent citizens of Bangladesh as Directors of Nijera Shikhi who were renowned educationalists, journalists, legal practitioners, social workers, doctors and retired government officers. They had the urge of establishing an illiteracy free Bangladesh.
Revd. J. P. Hastings and the directors believed the illiteracy problem as the main barrier of proper development in Bangladesh. Hastings introduced a low cost
self help education method with the help of the directors, government officers, volunteers and devoted staff through Nijera Shikhi, which means 'Let us teach
ourselves'.
Gradually Nijera Shikhi started Adult Education centre’s in 61 districts through partner organizations, which were controlled by 12 regional offices. But
in 1998 the government of Bangladesh imposed an embargo on “Adult Education by any NGO with the foreign fund directly”.
At this point Nijera Shikhi had to decide their next step. It was decided that the education of children would be the best way to achieve their aims of a
literate country.
Nijera Shikhi is convinced that education for women and children is the key to progress as this will improve their rights and status, to protect their
health and motherhood, to improve their capabilities as decision makers and their advancement in all fields of activity, to improve the quality of their
life and that of their children.
Revd. J. P. Hastings and the directors believed the illiteracy problem as the main barrier of proper development in Bangladesh. Hastings introduced a low cost
self help education method with the help of the directors, government officers, volunteers and devoted staff through Nijera Shikhi, which means 'Let us teach
ourselves'.
Gradually Nijera Shikhi started Adult Education centre’s in 61 districts through partner organizations, which were controlled by 12 regional offices. But
in 1998 the government of Bangladesh imposed an embargo on “Adult Education by any NGO with the foreign fund directly”.
At this point Nijera Shikhi had to decide their next step. It was decided that the education of children would be the best way to achieve their aims of a
literate country.
Nijera Shikhi is convinced that education for women and children is the key to progress as this will improve their rights and status, to protect their
health and motherhood, to improve their capabilities as decision makers and their advancement in all fields of activity, to improve the quality of their
life and that of their children.