Telementoring and Homeschooling During School Closures” in rural Bangladesh: Inspired by Asad Islam’s Research

 As someone deeply inspired by the research of Professor Asad Islam, I am proud to share the remarkable findings from his recent randomized controlled trial: “Telementoring and Homeschooling During School Closures” in rural Bangladesh.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of children worldwide faced unprecedented disruptions in education. In low-resource settings like rural Bangladesh, access to digital solutions was extremely limited. Recognizing this challenge, Asad Islam and his team launched an innovative, low-cost intervention utilizing basic mobile phones. University student volunteers reached out weekly to primary school children and their mothers, providing support in mathematics and English, and mentoring mothers on homeschooling practices.

The results were transformational:

  • Children who participated in the program achieved 35% higher scores on standardized tests compared to those without support.
  • Treated mothers spent, on average, 22 more minutes per day on homeschooling — an increase of 26%.
  • The intervention not only forestalled learning losses during prolonged school closures but also produced effects that persisted one year after the program ended.
  • Notably, the academically weaker children benefited the most, and the impact extended beyond targeted subjects to Bangla and general knowledge, demonstrating broad educational spillover.

Asad Islam’s research stands as a beacon for educational innovators and policymakers globally. The evidence shows that even simple technologies, when harnessed creatively and inclusively, can drive lasting improvements in education and social well-being — especially for the most vulnerable.

I believe this work will inspire researchers, educators, and leaders worldwide. By promoting and replicating such models, we can pave the way for resilient, equitable education systems accessible to all.

Inspired by Asad Islam, I share and advocate for his research — hoping it serves as a catalyst for change across the globe.

Read the full research: https://academic.oup.com/ej/article/134/662/2418/7625592




Comments

  1. Anjona BilkisSeptember 1, 2025 at 3:06 AM

    This is a fantastic spotlight on innovative educational solutions in challenging environments.f162fb I love how it draws inspiration from Professor Asad Islam's randomized controlled trial, showcasing real-world impact through simple, low-tech telementoring via mobile phones. It's inspiring to see how this approach not only prevented learning losses during COVID-related school closures in rural Bangladesh but actually boosted kids' test scores by 35% and encouraged mothers to invest more time in homeschooling. The persistent effects a year later and the extra benefits for academically weaker students highlight the program's inclusivity and long-term value. Wiley does a great job advocating for scalable, equitable education models like this—definitely worth sharing to spark more global change!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Asad Islam’s Major Research and Publications

Image
Genetic distance, immigrants’ identity, and labor market outcomes The relationship between immigrants’ ethnic identity and their labor market performance is a subject of strong policy and academic debate. While numerous empirical studies indicate that culture and identity shape labor market outcomes, causal interpretations remain elusive due to endogeneity: labor market performance and identity attitudes are often mutually influential. In this study, Asadul Islam and Paul A. Raschky propose an innovative solution: using genetic distance between an immigrant’s home and host country as an instrumental variable for ethnic identity, thereby isolating the exogenous component that captures deep-rooted cultural differences. Methodology The study utilizes data from Canada’s Equality, Security, and Community (ESC) Survey, rich in variables related to immigrant identity, ancestry, labor market performance, and demographic controls. Immigrants’ identity is measured both as the stated importance o...
Read more

Asad Islam and his dedicated research on microcredit effects in rural Bangladesh

Inspired by Professor Asad Islam’s groundbreaking research on microcredit and children’s schooling in Bangladesh, I am deeply moved by his commitment to human capital and poverty alleviation. If you wish to understand the real impacts of microcredit on child labor and education, explore Dr. Islam’s detailed study. His insights challenge policy makers and advocates to think beyond conventional solutions. Read his research:  https://monash.academia.edu/AsadulIslam
Read more

Inspired by Asad Islam: Fishermen’s competitiveness and labour market performance: Evidence from shrimpers in Bangladesh

Image
Competitiveness is a key driver of economic performance in labor markets, particularly within informal sectors that often escape the focus of mainstream policy. The shrimp fishery in Bangladesh is a prototypical example—an industry reliant on individual initiative and competitive engagement for access to opportunities and mobility. Professor Asad Islam’s research, “Fishermen’s competitiveness and labour market performance: Evidence from shrimpers in Bangladesh,” offers empirical insights into the role of competitiveness among fishermen, providing a nuanced understanding of labor market dynamics in developing economies. Research Objective and Scope The study aims to investigate how the willingness to compete among shrimp fishermen influences their success in labor market allocation and broader socioeconomic outcomes. Specifically, it addresses whether competitive preferences—often overlooked in labor economics—are associated with tangible improvements in income, employment status, and u...
Read more