Sidhulai Floating School of Chalanbil on the World Stage: Won UNESCO Confucius Literacy Award

The solar-powered Sidhulai Floating Boat School of Chalanbil has won the prestigious “UNESCO Confucius Literacy Award 2025”. The 20th award ceremony was held in China on September 27. The trophy and certificate were received on behalf of the school at the ceremony by Engineer Mohammad Rezwan, founder of Sidhulai Floating School. This is one of the highest honors in the world for innovation in education and the spread of lifelong learning, which is given under the patronage of the Chinese government.

According to information research, out of hundreds of nominations from around the world, UNESCO has selected three initiatives as winners: Sidhulai Floating School of Bangladesh, Learn with Nala e-Learning of Ireland, and Second Chance School and Inclusive Education Program of Morocco.

Rejoan accepted the trophy and certificate on behalf of his organization, Sidhulai Self-Help Organization. As a child, he grew up in the Chalanbil area, where schools were closed every year due to floods. From that experience, he invented a unique solution in 2002, converting local boats into schools, which are known as the world’s first floating schools. Today, these solar-powered boats still function as schools, libraries, and training centers, helping villages that are flooded during the monsoons to continue education throughout the year.

UNESCO praised the initiative, saying, “The success of this floating school lies in its innovative, locally-developed approach to delivering literacy education to marginalized communities in flood-prone areas.” Sidhulai’s floating school model is now being followed by various NGOs in Bangladesh and has inspired many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to implement similar initiatives. The Bangladesh government has included Rejoan’s floating school in its National Adaptation Plan 2050.

Mohammad Rezwan said, “Education is not just about reading and writing, it builds peace, equality and tolerance. I hope that with the power of literacy and knowledge, our youth will create a future where no disaster can stop a child’s education.”