Capitation Grant orphanages

Private orphanages are established at local level for the upbringing and development of the parentless children of the poor families which are being run through the collection of local resources and various types of donations. The Department of Social Services, under the Ministry of Social Welfare, provides assistance to this private orphanage. These orphanages were registered according to Voluntary organizations (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961. Nurturing, treatment and education for the children of the private orphanages were known as capitation grants. For ensuring accountability, transparency, and coordination in the allocation and use of capitation grants there is an implementation manual. At present, capitation grant is being provided to 72,000 thousand orphan children in resides in 3710 private orphanages. The main purpose of this capitation grant is to help poor orphan children to become human resourches.

According to Article 2A (3) of the Orphanage and Widows' House Act of 1944, the word 'orphan' refers to any child under the age of 18 whose father is dead and has been abandoned by his parents or legal guardian.

Aims and objectives of Capitation grant:

These orphanages through financial support and affordability ensure fundamental rights of the orphans, creates basic education opportunities, develop their talents, include them social security system and integrate them mainstream of the society.

Admission system ‍ of the child in the orphanage:

Applications have to submit in the prescribed admission form to obtain capitation grant. Forms are scrutinized. By taking consent of other members Upazila Women Vice Chairman selects the candidates.

Implementation strategies:

Under the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Department of Social Services, Program wing manages the Private Orphanage Registration and the Institution wing handles the Capitation Grant. Additional Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Social Services Officer, under the leadership of the director (institution) is involved in conducting capitation grant activities in the headquarters level. In the district level deputy director, assistant director, registration officer, upazila social service officer and Ucd social services officer supervise the field-level private orphanage capitation grant activities and coordinate between field level and headquarters.

Services:

1. Provide financial assistance to the private orphanage to raise orphan children up to age 18;
2. Ensuring nursing with affection, love and care;
3. Ensuring formal education and vocational training;
4. Ensuring physical, intellectual and human excellence;
5. Provide support for full development of the children;
6. Arrange rehabilitation and employment for their self-reliance.

Service recipients:

50% of  the orphans children in the age group of 6-18 who resides in the private orphanages.

Service delivery method (in short):

The private orphanage must be registered under the Department of Social Services and the orphanage must have at least 10 orphans of minimum age of 6-18 years old. About 50% of the children will be covered in this service. 100% residents have to admit to primary and secondary.

Terms and conditions of services:

1. Orphanages must be registered in accordance with Voluntary Social Welfare Organization (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance 1961.
2. Registration process has to be forwarded by Upazilla Social Services or UCD Office.
3. Age and health status would be checked by Civil surgeon or his representatives.
4. Final approval by the admissions committee;

Areas of citizen’s participation:

1. To notify the authorities if any interruption in the services of a private orphanage is observed;
2. To assists financially through zakat, Fitra and other donations, etc;
3. To provide any assistance in improving the quality of education of children;
4. To Assist in the rehabilitation of the child financially, by providing employment or by providing information;
5. Treating children sympathetically;
6. Any kind of cooperation in the full development of the baby.

Upazila wise statistics (up to FY 2020-21):

Sr. No.

Capitation granted

Number of orphanages

Number of Granted Orphans (People)

Sherpur Sadar Upazila

Nakla Upazila

Nalitabari Upazila

Jhenaigati Upazila

Sreebordi Upazila