Nazma Akhter (pseudonym) could not continue her studies after Class 5 because of her family’s financial crisis. Her father married her off to a rickshaw puller before she reached puberty. After twelve years of marriage, her husband divorced her after marrying another woman. In the meantime, Nazma had given birth to a baby girl, Nafisa (pseudonym), and at the time of her divorce, her daughter was 8 years old. Learning from her own experience, Nazma determined that her daughter would receive an education. Nazma got a job at Jeans Plus Limited, a sister concern of Shin Shin Group, where she is currently working as a senior operator. Apart from her daughter, Nazma, being the eldest daughter in the family, has to take care of her parents, both of whom are old with health complications. It would have been impossible for Nazma to continue her daughter’s education if Shin Shin Group had not offered Nafisa a full scholarship for her studies. Like Nazma and Nafisa, the dreams of many are being fulfilled through the scholarship program Shin Shin Group is providing to the meritorious children of its workers and staff.

About 4 million workers are employed in the apparel industry of Bangladesh, of whom 70% are women. These women are often treated by their families as a burden and are married off during childhood. With the emergence of the country’s apparel industry, undereducated women got the opportunity to work and earn. Their financial solvency has given them a dignified life. More importantly, these working women are taking care of the education of their daughters.

The phenomenal growth of the garment sector between 1983 and 2000 significantly increased female school enrolment rates, according to a study by economists Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak and Rachel Heath. Their study, conducted in 2012, found that 27% more young girls started going to school than before the garment industry developed.

Now, initiatives like those of Shin Shin Group are accelerating this momentum. Some of the daughters of workers and staff who have been nurtured by the Group are now studying in higher education, which is telltale evidence of the impact of its scholarship program. Shin Shin Group has been continuing this scholarship program for the meritorious children of its workers and employees since 2021. The scholarship amount varies — for students up to Class Eight, the amount is BDT 3,000 per month; for students from Class Nine to HSC, the amount is BDT 4,000 per month; and for graduation and post-graduation students, the amount is BDT 6,000 per month.

Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Chairman of Shin Shin Group, said: “We started the scholarship program as we believe that taking care of the talent of the Shin Shin family is our responsibility. It gives me immense satisfaction when we see that scholarship beneficiaries are studying even at the university level. One of the daughters of our driver is now studying at Stamford University, and one of the sons of another driver of the Group is currently studying at the BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT). There are numerous such examples. Without the support of scholarships, it might be impossible for them to pursue higher education.”

“The pleasure it gives us is incomparable. We are really happy to meaningfully contribute to fulfilling their dreams. In fact, the slogan of Shin Shin Group is ‘Together We Grow’,” he added.

The Group has also taken a rare initiative to send its garment workers to university for graduation. Aisa Moni and Rina Akhter, two junior operators of Organic Jeans, a concern of Shin Shin Group, are now proud students of the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chittagong.

A graduation degree was their lifelong dream. But family responsibilities bound them to enter jobs after HSC. They thought their dream would never be fulfilled. But the dream came true when Organic Jeans announced Inditex scholarships for female workers of the factory to study at university. Through an exam, both of them were found eligible to complete their graduation. They have already started classes, and during their five-year graduation course, Inditex will take care of their tuition fees, lodging, food, and provide a monthly stipend to support their families.

“Shin Shin Group is delighted to be a part of this journey of fulfilling lifelong dreams. We are waiting to welcome them again to our factory after the completion of their graduation, but not on the sewing floor; rather, at dignified office desks,” said Mohammad Sohel Sadat.