This country analytical review examines the key issues in access to and participation in primary and secondary education in Bangladesh, with a special focus on areas and dimensions of exclusion. Against a background of overall progress, particularly in closing the gender gap in primary and secondary enrollment, the research applies a conceptual framework outlining different forms of exclusion and presents two significant findings which compromise access and diminish gains made: high dropout rates at primary and secondary levels and nominal access but virtual exclusion from quality learning. Other areas surveyed in the review include interventions by public sector and non-governmental providers in primary and secondary education as well as the financing of basic education. This review of the literature concludes with suggestions for future research directions that might lead to new understanding and insights on equitable access and participation. Nine annexes are included: (1) A schematic of the education system in Bangladesh; (2) Eleven types of primary schools; (3) Comparison between BRAC [Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee] and government primary school models; (4) Achievement of BEP [BRAC Education Programme] as of November 2005; (5) Training completed for secondary school teachers of PACE programme as of November 2005; (6) ESP [Education Support Programme] accomplishments, actual and planned; (7) PLAN [Post Primary Basic and Continuing Education] Bangladesh Whole Child Development Model; (8) Total centres and beneficiaries of Save the Children USA--core programmes; and (9) Projection of child and student population. A bibliography is included. (Contains 44 tables and 15 figures.) [This review was written with the assistance of Altaf Hossain, Md. Abul Kalam, Md. Shahidul Islam and Jennifer Hove.]