Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has issued a message marking Children’s Rights Day and the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, which will be celebrated through a three-day grand event from Tuesday to Thursday.
Highlighting the institution’s historical journey, the prime minister noted that former president Ziaur Rahman, the Proclaimer of Independence, established Bangladesh Shishu Academy in 1976, reads a press release.
With the academy completing 50 years in October 2026, he recalled that the state-sponsored “National Children’s Award” competition was introduced in 1978 to flourish children’s latent talents and welfare.
Describing children as the symbols of hope and boundless potential for a new Bangladesh, the prime minister cited Poet Golam Mostofa, saying, “The father of the child lies asleep in the heart of every child”.
He emphasised that creating an enabling environment to blossom every child’s latent creativity and talent through proper care, affection, and education is a sacred moral, social, and national duty.
Tarique also recalled the unique contributions of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia in safeguarding children’s interests and institutional protection, notably Bangladesh’s participation in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) IPEC (International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour) project in 1994 to eliminate child labour.
Reaffirming the present government’s firm commitment, he pledged to ensure a safe and risk-free childhood, moral, modern, and scientific education, universal healthcare, adequate nutrition, and an open environment for sports and cultural activities for every child.
He expressed hope that the Golden Jubilee would be an awakening to new dreams and a guiding light for a new humane journey, adding, “Through the innocent smiles, latent dreams, and achievements of children, may a safe, beautiful, and self-reliant Bangladesh of tomorrow be built.”
Acknowledging persistent social challenges such as child labour, social violence, child marriage, and discrimination, the prime minister urged combined efforts from families, society, and the state to eradicate these social ills.
Describing the academy as the main lighthouse for developing children’s latent talents, he expressed firm belief that today’s children will elevate the nation to new global heights across science, technology, sports, art, and literature, while extending warm greetings to children, guardians, teachers, and all individuals and organisations engaged in child welfare.
