The government has launched many projects in recent years to ensure the all-out flourishing of children.
The project titled, “Early Learning for Child Development” was undertaken with the aim of establishing a comprehensive policy for early childhood care and assisting in the implementation of the policy from national to field level to ensure the overall early growth and development of every child in Bangladesh.
The project is being implemented by Bangladesh Shishu Academy under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA).
Funded by UNICEF and the government of Bangladesh, the project worth Tk 3771.33 lakh began its operation in October 2018 and is scheduled to end in December 2021. The project is being implemented in 16 upazillas of 15 districts across the country.
Sultan Alom, Deputy Secretary and director of this project told the Bangladesh Post, “Although initially, we had plans to establish 400 daycare centers in the third phase, the target could not be achieved as our work was interrupted by Covid-19 pandemic.”
He said that so far a total of 40 daycare centers have been established under this project.
“Some of these are located in garments industry areas, some in jails; for the children of female prisoners who are born there and some in brothels. The children aged 2-4 years can stay at these daycare centers from morning to evening while being engaged with various activities,” he added.
He further said that pre-school activities have been excluded in the later phases of the project as one year of pre-primary education in public primary schools has been mainstreamed by the government.
“The implementation period of the project will be extended further. We are currently discussing the issues with UNICEF. The new phase will include new objectives. Besides, more daycare centers will be established,” he said.
The first phase of the project was undertaken in 2006 to make children suitable for primary school education by developing their intellectual, emotional and linguistic abilities through participation in pre-school activities, at home and in the community in a conducive and safe environment.
UNICEF has been providing technical support along with the funding. The works of the project are monitored and inspected by the concerned officials of UNICEF.
