Jagannath University has been running its only daycare center in an improvised manner. The center is located on the third floor of the university's teacher's dormitory building and serves as an office for
university students, staff, and faculty to leave their children during working hours. The center was established in an ad-hoc manner in March 2018 and since then has been running with inadequate staff, its own makeshift infrastructure, and a shortage of necessary toys and equipment. This has raised concerns among parents and employees.
Currently, the center is operating with only three female staff members, including a supervisor, looking after children aged between six months to five or six years old. The eight small rooms of the center have been furnished with a few toys, mats, floor beds, chairs, tables, a TV, and colorful paper flowers, which are inadequate for the number of children being cared for.
Rajoshir, a four-year-old child living in this center is the daughter of a student named Badhon of the zoology department at the university. The mother says that there are very few people here to take care of the children. If any of them fall ill, it becomes even more difficult.
However, the staff members are very sincere in their work. Another child's mother, Sumaiya, says that the toys and equipment available at Day Care Centre are unparalleled in meeting the needs of the children.
Regarding this matter, Shakila Jamman Subarna, the supervisor of this center, says that there is no budget given from the university administration to buy toys and various equipment. However, if necessary, employees buy various toys themselves and then give the university administration vouchers. However, it takes too long for the vouchers to be passed, going to various offices in a row.
Meanwhile, the day care center is considering relocation to the university's new academic building. However, several departments already moved there have reported classroom space shortages, raising questions about the relocation of the daycare center.
It has been reported that there is a crisis of workers at the daycare center. Despite starting work with three employees, including a supervisor, the center has not increased its staff in four years. Even though teachers and staff at the university continued to receive salaries and benefits during the coronavirus pandemic, daycare center employees did not receive their salaries.
Additionally, the center did not increase the salaries of its employees for four years, as they are not under the framework of the University Grants Commission's pay scale. The supervisor of the daycare center, Shakila Jaman Subarna, said that if this continues, employees will have to change their profession.
Currently, the center has admitted 44 children, with more than half attending regularly. However, caring for so many children is challenging, so at least two more employees are urgently needed.
Although there is a daycare center at the university, most teachers and students are unaware of it. As a result, the center earns less income as it cannot admit enough children.
Dr. Abdus Samad, Convener of the daycare center, said that he has heard their limitations and concerns. They have discussed the problems with the Vice-chancellor of the university and are planning to make a planned daycare center.
"We have sent a notice to UGC in this regards, and if we get the budget, we will hire a few people", he added.
Professor Dr. Imdadul Haque, Vice-chancellor of JnU, said that the daycare center will sustain itself financially. Currently, no budget will be allocated from the university, however, we are considering relocating it to a new academic building.