STUDENTS, guardians and teachers of the Government Town Primary School in the Tangail district headquarters blocked a busy road on Thursday protesting construction of a building for Tangail Law College at a portion of the school’s playground. They took part in the demonstration to press their demand to shift the college to another location as a national daily reported on Friday. This demand is quite reasonable in view of the fact that in 1999, the then lawmaker of the town decided to shift the college to another suitable place; but the college authorities did not comply with the decision. Playgrounds are important for children’s physical and mental development and grow up in friendly competition. It builds children’s future. It is a bitter truth that natural open spaces and their air quality across the country are diminishing at a rapid pace. Nobody will deny that the country is living like a body without its proper breathing organs: green spaces. To intensify the natural hazard, currently the children’s playgrounds are gradually turning into the planners’ as well as occupants’ playthings. The surviving open spaces are also under threats of encroachment posed by land grabbers, as those were not given approval as playgrounds legally. Experts warn of the psychological impact of growing up without having anywhere to play outdoors or come together as a community. There may be catastrophic effects on the kids. Many children are growing up isolated, self-centered and emotionally vulnerable. By playing with their friends, children learn social interaction, problem solving and leadership skills. They grow up with a feeling that they belong to a community, which is of their own. Research shows, the sights and sounds and smells of birds and trees are good both for the body and the soul. For the healthy development of the children and adults alike, playgrounds are indispensable. And of course playgrounds and open spaces have huge environmental significance. They are virtually the lungs of the city. The Playground, Open Spaces, Park and Natural Reservoir Conservation Act 2000 states that every inch of these places will be considered as protected areas. No changes of these areas can be done. However as said earlier these laws are being flagrantly abused regularly.Bangladesh is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child that promised to protect children’s ‘right to play’ and develop body and mind. The government is bound to ensure play ground at all educational institutions and nobody should be allowed to take over such land. In our view the matter must be settled locally to save the playground for children at its place.
