More than 900 children of women prisoners in 10 jails across the country are being given pre-primary education to enlighten them with knowledge and culture.
The Bangladesh Shishu Academy is giving the teachings in Bangla reading and writing, mathematics, fine arts, craft, dance, song, physical exercise, acting, story writing, sports, environment and health, Tarikul Islam, an official concerned of the academy told yesterday.
As per the curriculum of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), the Shishu Academy is implementing the education programme for the ‘jail children’ under the project “Preprimary Education for Flourishing of Children”, he said.
“The Shishu Academy is implementing the programme funded by Women and Children Affairs Ministry by setting up ‘pre-education centers’ inside 10 jails across the country involving the children of different ages starting from four years,” Tarikul said.
The jails include Dhaka central jail, Kashimpur jail in Gazipur, Rangpur jail, Rajshahi jail, Chittagong jail, Mymensingh jail, Jessore jail, Comilla jail, Sylhet jail and Barisal jail.
The project supplies education materials, including textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils and toys, to the centers in the prisons, the official said. Besides, the district education offices provide guides to teachers recruited under the project. The district education offices are also supplying necessary books, including Amar Boi and Eso Likhte Shikhi.
Tarikul said a view exchange meeting is held at every centre every month with guardians of the children.
The project was launched at Dhaka central jail in March 2010 and at other jails in April in the same year, according to the Shishu Academy officials.
In the first phase of the project, 800 children took part in painting competitions till December last year while 100 more took part in this month, they said, adding that the activities of the second phase are going on.
A painting competition was held for the ‘jail children’ recently where children from eight jails across the country took part. Rupa Akter from Comilla jail secured the first position in the competition while Mukta from Dhaka Central Jail and Shanta from Kashimpur jail secured the second and the third positions respectively.
The winners received their prizes at a function at the Shishu Academy in the city on the World Children’s Day 2017.
Shishu Academy Director Anjir Litan said many children are staying in jails with their mothers. The government has launched the pre-primary education programme for those children to develop them as worthy citizens, he added.
The academy is implementing the programme with the help of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry, Litan said, adding the children are getting facilities of this education even after going out of the jails.
Source: BSS
