Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday urged children to take part in co-curricular activities alongside their studies, saying sports, music, Quran recitation and cultural pursuits were important for their overall development.
“Alongside studies, children should take part in sports, music, Quran recitation and cultural activities. They should be kind to all living beings and care for the environment and nature. Through these qualities, children must grow into good human beings,” he said.
The prime minister made the remarks while addressing children at a programme at Bangladesh Shishu Academy marking Child Rights Day 2026 and the academy’s 50th anniversary.
Earlier, children welcomed the prime minister on his arrival at the academy. The programme began with the national anthem.
His wife, Zubaida Rahman, vice-chairperson of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, was present at the event.
Women and Children Affairs Minister A Z M Zahid Hossain chaired the programme.
The prime minister watched a cultural performance by children and later exchanged greetings with the performers and joined them for a photo session.
He also answered questions from children during the event, while children from different parts of the country spoke with him through video conference.
Rahman later visited the Child Museum Building, where he viewed paintings by children and a photo gallery.
He also inaugurated a solar panel and a sub-station on the ground floor of the building.
Earlier, children presented the prime minister with a commemorative gift, while he unveiled a special souvenir titled Shaishob.
This year’s theme was “Let children’s future be secure”.
