SAHIDUL ISLAM NIRAB, Jamalpur

The prospect of higher education is often a distant dream for many students hailing from rural areas, especially those residing in the remote shoals.

To turn that dream into reality for students living in shoals of Jamuna river under Sadar and Kazipur upazilas of Sirajganj, a platform -- Education Grower Association -- has been working tirelessly since its inception on May 3, 2022.

What began as an initiative of a small group of 100 public university students from the two upazilas has now become a beacon of hope for hundreds of students from the marginalised rural communities.

The organisation is dedicated to its mission to make higher education opportunities accessible to rural students and promote a culture of pursuing knowledge, raising awareness, and foster empowerment.

Every year, EGA organises various events including scholarship examinations for school and college students, workshops on higher education, and different religious and cultural competitions, including Quran recitation, Islamic songs, and extempore speeches, creating opportunities for rural students to develop both academically and socially.

On June 9 this year, the organisation hosted its fourth annual grand event, bringing together around 1,000 students from 24 schools and marking yet another milestone in its ongoing journey of educational transformation along the Jamuna river basin.

At the event, more than 150 winners received awards in recognition of their academic excellence and dedication, while 24 newly admitted public university students were accorded reception for their success and perseverance.

To enhance educational standards, EGA conducts model tests for SSC candidates, offers merit-based coaching for university admission seekers, and promote environmental awareness through its “Greening Schools” initiative, where quiz winners receive tree saplings as prizes.

Beyond academics, the organisation also works to build a drug-free, corruption-free, and socially responsible generation and inspire them to emerge as changemakers in future.

Faridul Islam, senior adviser of EGA and an engineering graduate from Buet, said, “EGA is a unique initiative to promote education among underprivileged students in the riverine shoal areas, enhance their self-confidence, and pave way for raising social awareness and transformation.”

Mehedi Hasan Swapno, the platform’s general secretary and a student of Chittagong University, said, “Our commitment is to bring the light of education to every home in the remote shoal areas.”

EGA president Muddachsir Rahman, a student of Dhaka University, added, “Education is the key for a person to overcome limitations and achieve success. From the Jamuna shoals, we are proving that when youth rise with purpose, even the smallest spark can ignite a revolution.”

Md Faridul Islam, a guardian and social activist, said, “I see hope in EGA’s vision of nurturing a generation of confident and conscious youth. When education and empathy walk together, true progress begins.”