Doorstep Learning Programme
Since 2019, UKBET’s Doorstep Learning Programme (DLP) has provided a vital lifeline to children engaged in child domestic labour, offering a holistic approach to breaking the cycle of child labour and ensuring children’s access to education. The core DLP initiative provides basic education aligned with the national curriculum through three weekly sessions covering literacy, numeracy and life skills. These sessions are delivered by specially trained and supported local community teachers, providing flexible learning opportunities for children who have been excluded from formal education.
Our work aims to support children out of child labour and into formal schooling or vocational training, while providing continued support to help them remain in education. In 2025, 477 children participated in education and development programmes, 111 former child labourers were admitted to formal schools and 87 children enrolled in vocational training.
UKBET also provided after-school tuition and monitoring for children returning to formal education. This structured support helps children strengthen foundational skills, adapt to classroom environments and maintain regular attendance.
Alongside academic learning, children participated in life skills education covering personal hygiene and health awareness, adolescence education, moral values, positive behaviour, first aid and emergency response. 42 children also received self-defence training, strengthening their confidence, safety awareness and ability to respond to risks.
An independent impact evaluation conducted with the Department of Social Work at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology confirmed the positive outcomes of the programme and provided recommendations to strengthen its future development.
Family Futures
Family poverty is a root cause of child labour and UKBET’s Family Futures microgrants support families to establish, continue or expand small businesses. Increasing and stabilising household income helps reduce families’ financial dependence on children’s labour and increases children’s likelihood of remaining in education.
In 2025, 83 families received microgrants to establish or expand small businesses, including tailoring and sewing, fish selling, grocery and clothing shops, vegetable and fruit trading, tea stalls, food carts and rickshaw vans. 57 families successfully sustained their businesses and began repaying the loan component, demonstrating improved financial resilience.
By combining family livelihood support with education, UKBET helps address both the immediate and underlying causes of child labour.
Awareness and community engagement
Another key priority for UKBET is raising awareness about children’s rights and the risks associated with child labour. Our awareness-raising activities engage parents, children, employers and community members in promoting education and strengthening the protection of children.
In 2025, UKBET conducted 54 awareness programmes, addressing the importance of education, children’s rights and the risks of child labour.
UKBET also invested in strengthening teacher capacity. 36 internal teacher training sessions and three external professional training sessions were completed during the year. In partnership with PEACE Canada, UKBET provided professional capacity-building training to 25 teachers from schools in Sylhet and Chattak, focusing on inclusive teaching approaches and practical classroom strategies.
Health and wellbeing
Recognising the relationship between family health, poverty and children’s education, UKBET also introduced a community health screening initiative through the DLP. More than 400 individuals were screened for diabetes and high blood pressure between May and December 2025. Those requiring further care were referred for treatment and follow-up.
Early identification and referral can help reduce the financial pressures caused by untreated health conditions, supporting family stability and reducing the risk of children being pushed into labour.
Quantifiable impact in 2025
- 477 children participated in education and development programmes.
- 111 former child labourers were admitted to formal schools.
- 87 children enrolled in vocational training.
- 83 families received Family Futures microgrants.
- 57 families successfully sustained their businesses and began repaying the loan component.
- 42 children received self-defence training.
- 54 awareness programmes were conducted.
- 36 internal teacher training sessions were delivered.
- 3 external professional training sessions were completed.
- 290 students participated in the DLP academic programme, with 243 completing their final examinations.
- 25 teachers participated in professional capacity-building training.
- More than 400 individuals received health screening for diabetes and high blood pressure.
For more than 30 years, UKBET’s trustees, staff, teachers, partners and generous donors have supported our mission to expand educational opportunities for vulnerable children. In 2025, we strengthened our evidence base through programme evaluation and our institutional foundations through the establishment of the UKBET Zakat Advisory Board.
Building on these achievements, UKBET remains committed to expanding the Doorstep Learning Programme, strengthening family livelihoods and creating pathways for children to move from child labour into education, vocational training and safer futures. Our ambition remains clear: to contribute to the eradication of child domestic labour in Bangladesh.