About
This study provides an important first step in understanding the EdTech ecosystem in Bangladesh and identifying key levers for change. The central role of government and the engagement of a2i indicate possible pathways for influencing EdTech policy and practice nationally.
Key Findings
- Government ministries and agencies hold the greatest influence within the EdTech network, as indicated by high degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality.
- EdTech entrepreneurs are the most active drivers in the network but lack formal influence, meaning interventions must consider this dynamic.
Bridging the Gap
The Challenge
The EdTech ecosystem in Bangladesh is complex, with multiple stakeholders including government bodies, entrepreneurs, and other organisations. While entrepreneurs are highly active, they lack formal influence, and government ministries hold most of the decision-making power. Understanding these dynamics is essential for designing interventions that bring together the expertise of both groups to scale and strengthen EdTech initiatives effectively.
Why It Matters
This network analysis represents an important first step in understanding the EdTech ecosystem in Bangladesh and identifying the most significant levers for driving change.
Objective
The study aims to understand the current EdTech system in Bangladesh, including its elements, stakeholders, and their interactions, as well as the enablers and barriers to scaling EdTech and the key levers for change.
Research Questions
- What are the key system levers across the public and private EdTech space in Bangladesh that can support the efficient and equitable implementation of a blended learning approach?
- What is the current EdTech policy system in Bangladesh?
- What is the current EdTech innovation ecosystem, and how does it interact with the broader education system?
Study Design and Methodology
The study visualises the structure of the network of stakeholders in the EdTech system in Bangladesh and describes the characteristics of this network using Social Network Analysis (SNA).
- It highlights the interconnectedness of the EdTech system and describes the interactions across the stakeholders, demonstrating the influence dynamics within the network.
- It explains these dynamics through qualitative analysis and presents a way forward for the effective implementation and scale-up of EdTech in Bangladesh.
Timeline of Activities
January 2022
Alignment work: Research definitions and selection criteria, Communication plan
March 2023
Launch: Publish spotlight page, and other launch activities to communicate the study
May 2023
Work on initial research, creating the shortlist, and recruiting & managing the academy
The Importance of the Results
The study’s results are important as a first engagement in mapping the system, relationships and change-pathways within the EdTech ecosystem in Bangladesh.
Implications for Policy and Practice
The central role of government in Bangladesh’s EdTech ecosystem, exemplified by the participation of a2i, highlights how the study contributes to shaping EdTech policy and practice nationally. By supporting the Education Ministry to implement the PPPM strategy and leveraging ICT-led innovations—ranging from classroom technology, online teacher content sharing, national e-learning platforms, to inclusive access for visually impaired learners—a2i’s approach demonstrates the practical pathways through which policy can translate into system-wide change.
Study Team
- Akanksha Bapna, Principal Investigator
- Arnaldo Pellini, Co-Principal Investigator
- Namrata Sharma, Researcher
Key Partners
