Ekbal Academy

Who are we?

The Ekbal Academy is a privately-fureled, non-profit primary school in the Sythet province of Bangladesh. Since opening our doors six years ago, we have provided a secular, non political education to more than 100 under privileged girls and boys in the village and surroundings of Renga Hajiganj our aim is to offer schooling to those who need it most fees am heavily subsidised and, where necessary, education is provided free of charge through our scholarship system We follow the Bangladeshi national curriculum, offering additional lessons in English and IT.

Why is it important?

Bangladesh is one of the most unequal societies in the world, with many living in extreme poverty. Our consti Tution states that every child has a right to be educated to the age of 18-however only 66% of primary school pupils make it all the way to Grade 5 and only 51% of girls and 43% of boys are in secondary school. Mean- while, according to UNESCO statistics, nearly half of adults and a quarter of young people in Bangladesh cannot read or write. Without an education, how will our young people achieve their full potential? Investing in education is investing in our future

Ekbal Hussain

Born in Bangladesh in 1975 I moved to London with my parents aged nine, where I progressed through the school system, attending Islington Green School in London and Oxford Brooks University completing my HND, before qualifying as a CAA JAR pilot in 2005 Since then, I have worked as an Airline Steward and Private Pilot. I then moved into hospitality in 1994 when I opened my first restaurant, Tiffins in Kidlington, Oxford shine. I now own two further restaurants a second Tiffins in Brackley, Oxfordshire, and Cinnamon Lounge in hlington, London, Tam aho a qualified ADI and also a Property Developer. I have returned to Bangladesh many times, growing increasingly alarmed by the continuing poverty and social inequality endemic in my place of birth, My forefathers have a long history of working with the needy in Haji gong areas of Sylhet and in the 1960s my grandfather donated land for the establishment of a mosque, school and bazaar in establish ing the Ekbal Academy, I hope to continue this tradition My dream is that the academy will raise the aspirations of the local children, and help them to achieve their full potential.