Bangladeshi architect Mohammed Rezwan’s solar-powered floating schools have received the Unesco Confucius Prize for Literacy 2025, one of the world’s highest honours for advancing education and lifelong learning.
The Chinese government sponsors this award, said a press release.
Among hundreds of nominations worldwide, Unesco selected three winners: Bangladesh’s Shidhulai Floating Schools, Ireland’s Learn with NALA eLearning, and Morocco’s Second Chance School and Inclusive Education Program.
The 20th award ceremony was held on September 27 in Qufu, Shandong Province, China, the birthplace of Confucius.
Rezwan accepted the trophy and certificate on behalf of his organisation, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, which launched the world’s first floating school in 2002. Growing up in Chalanbeel, he saw how annual floods forced schools to close for months.
His simple yet transformative solution was to take schools to the water. Today, solar-powered boats serve as classrooms, libraries, and training centres that keep learning alive even when villages are submerged.
Unesco praised the initiative for “delivering literacy education to marginalised learners in flood-prone regions through locally rooted innovation.”
The Shidhulai floating school programme has now been replicated across Bangladesh by other NGOs and inspired similar projects throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The Bangladesh government has incorporated Rezwan’s floating schools into the National Adaptation Plan 2050.
“Education is not only about reading and writing,” Rezwan said. “It is about fostering peace, equality, and resilience. With literacy and knowledge, our youth can build a future where no disaster prevents children from learning.”
A photo series titled “Boat Schools of Bangladesh — Future That Floats” is on display at the French National Museum of Immigration History’s Migrations and Climate exhibit in Paris through April 5, 2026.
The TRT World documentary “Bangladesh Turns Tide on Climate Change with Floating Schools” is a finalist for the Save the Children Global Media Awards 2025. Rezwan’s work is also featured in Julia Watson’s book Lo–TEK: Water, which highlights 22 contemporary TEK-based innovations worldwide.
Source: The Daily Star
