During the last twenty years five folk high schools have been established in Bangladesh. They represent the first schools of this kind founded in a Muslim society. The book describes the genesis and aims of these schools. Their daily function and outgoing activity within the local context is extensively reported.

The relationship of this initiative to the Danish high-school tradition and to the ideas of the originator, N.F.S Grundtvig (1783-1872), is discussed. The new interpretation of Grundtvig's ideas developed in this Third World milieu is analysed, and some future perspectives are delineated.

Dr. K.E. Bugge, who has published a number of books on Grundtvig and his educational thinking, was in the years 1981-1998 professor of Religious Education at The Danish University of Education (Danmarks Lærerhøjskole) During several periods he has functioned as a vistiting professor in South India.