Speakers at a discussion stressed upon the need for bringing all the children especially those belonging to the under-privileged families and living in slum areas under primary education to flourish them properly.
They viewed there is no alternative to ensure equitable access to quality primary education for out-of-school children to bring them under the primary education.
To this end, the field level officials, public representatives and others concerned should discharge their duties with utmost sincerity, honesty and patriotic zeal.
The observations came at a daylong induction workshop titled “Urban Slum Children Education Programme” held at Simanta Abakash in Rajshahi. Reaching out-of-School Children (ROSC) II Project and Eco Social Development organization jointly organized the workshop where more than 60 distinguished personalities, including public representatives, education officials, development activists and other stakeholders, joined.
Director of the project Dr Mijanur Rahman addressed the function as the chief guest with Abul Kalam Azad, Divisional Assistant Director of Department of Primary Education, in the chair.
District Primary Education Officer Nafisha Begum, Assistant Director of Department of Non-formal Primary Education Anwar Kamal, Ward Councilors of Rajshahi City Corporation Nazma Begum and Abu Sayeed Tuku and District Representative of BRAC Jahedul Islam also spoke.
Dr Mijanur Rahman said the project aims to bring the children aged five plus under the programme who were never admitted to school or dropped out before completing primary education as the government is determined to make sure for all children completing their primary education.
The government has planned to reduce the number of ‘out-of-school children’ to zero per cent in the next five years. It would also establish a social safety net through providing monthly education stipends for the children to check the dropout trend.
It has a plan to bring back 7.20 lakh children to school in 148 remote upazilas, covering roughly about one-third of the country, through implementing the project.
Rahman said the children enrolled in the Ananda Schools, aged 8-14, had missed out schooling at the right age or had been compelled to drop out, mainly because of poverty.
