Evaluation of Multipurpose Community Learning Centres of BRAC in Rural Areas of Bangladesh

This study aimed to evaluate the Multipurpose Learning Centres or Gonokendros (GK) operated by BRAC jointly with the local community in rural areas of Bangladesh. Two main goals were process evaluation and impact assessment. The idea behind the process evaluation is to explore how the centres are utilised and how the users perceive the quality of services which may differ in different types of centres. In impact assessment, the focus has been on how the centres have benefited local community and the channels through which individuals are affected. Main policy implications of the study are: inclusion of adult literacy component in the programme, expansion of library facilities, upgrading of existing facilities, more training facilities for all, and lab facilities for skill development among youths. More qualitative research on long term-basis is needed to assess the impact of library facilities on children, youth, women and community as a whole.