The IDEAL project was implemented in 17 districts in the year 1998, started with one district, Jhenaidah in 1996 and expanded in 5 districts in 1997. The years 1996 and 1997 were considered as the developing phase of the program. As such, most inputs, which were given in the project at the initial phase, were considered as test cases in the project. After the developmental stage with the experimental inputs and process was over it was necessary to expand and revise of the project. Prior to undertake any expansion plan it was essential to establish a set of benchmark data through a baseline survey. Keeping this in view, the Department of Primary Education (DPE) and UNICEF agreed to undertake a baseline survey in the six IDEAL districts (Barisal, Cox’s Bazar, Mymensingh, Satkhira, Dinajpur, and Hobiganj) before going to actual implementation of the project activities at school level. The specific objectives of the baseline survey were: (i) to collect data on the then situation of the primary education particularly the program interventions which were addressed by IDEAL project; (ii) to determine the present situation of basic EFA statistics (enrolment, attendance, dropout and achievement level of the primary school students) on the basis of household and school survey; (iii) to identify the magnitude of community and school interactions; (iv) to assess the prevailing academic and physical environment of the school (classroom teaching learning process, use of teaching aids, toilet and water supply facilities, etc.); and (v) to estimate the level of efficiency of school management.