No brutality towards children will be tolerated at daycare centres: Cabinet okays draft law

The Cabinet today gave the final nod to a draft of "The Child Daycare Centre Act, 2021" -- keeping a provision of maximum 10 years in jail in case of failure to ensure proper security and safety to the children -- at a regular weekly meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, joining virtually from her Gono Bhaban residence.

"A provision was included in the proposed law to ensure maximum 10 years' imprisonment along with fine for acts that are threatening to the lives of children, negligence in duty or ruthless behaviour with them," Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told a news briefing after the meeting.

The provision of punishment has given a strong message that no carelessness and brutality towards the children will be tolerated, he said

"If any child is lost from a daycare centre due to negligence, maximum 10 years' imprisonment and Tk 5 lakh fine will be imposed," Anwarul continued.

After the law is passed, none can run any daycare centre without getting registered, he said.