Rezwan’s floating school wins Unesco Confucius Prize for Literacy

Bangladeshi architect Mohammed Rezwan has won the prestigious Unesco Confucius Prize for Literacy for his solar-powered floating schools that provide education to children in flood-prone areas.

The award, recently announced during a ceremony in Qufu, China — the birthplace of Confucius — recognises outstanding contributions to functional literacy in rural areas and among out‑of‑school youth, particularly in rural and marginalised communities, said a press release.

This year's theme was "Promoting literacy in the digital era."

Rezwan, executive director of Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, developed the floating school model to ensure uninterrupted learning for children whose education is regularly disrupted by monsoon floods. 

His initiative has reached more than 800,000 learners in remote, flood-affected regions.

In Bangladesh's flooded plains, schools in boats keep learning afloat

"This prize is not just for me, but for the children and families who refuse to let floods wash away their dreams," Rezwan said after receiving the award. "It inspires us to keep innovating so that no learner is left behind."

"Technology only works when it is rooted in people's lives — that is why our floating schools are designed with local input and staffed by community members, especially women and former students," he added.

The Confucius Prize, one of the world's top literacy awards, includes a medal, a diploma, and $30,000 to help expand the recipients' work.

Alongside Bangladesh, this year's laureates include Ireland's National Adult Literacy Agency for its Learn with NALA e-learning platform, and Morocco's Second Chance School and Inclusive Education programme, which reintegrates vulnerable youth into literacy and numeracy education.