Parenting programme needed to make children skilled manpower

Referring to the first five years of life as crucial for the foundation of every individual's intelligence, personality, and social behaviour, they said parents should be educated first on early childhood development.

Alliance for Cooperation and Legal Aid Bangladesh (ACLAB) organised the national workshop titled 'Early Childhood Development (ECD)' at the Biam auditorium in the city in association with Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) and Terre Des Hommes (TDH) Netherlands.

Presenting a keynote paper on the occasion, Farida Akhtar, chief executive of Inner Force, said though ECD has received greater attention as a result of changing global trends and challenges around the world, Bangladesh has responded to the concept late.

Qualitative ECD programmes may play a significant long-term impact on young children's social adjustment, cognitive ability and early school achievement, she said referring to the studies and programmes conducted across the world.

"Choices made and actions taken on behalf of the children during the critical period affect not only how a child develops but also how a country progresses," she observed.

Speakers also emphasised that the ECD education be reached at the grassroots level to get the maximum benefit out of it rather than confining it within urban areas.

They called for government's initiative and coordination between the NGOs and the government in this regard.

Abu Yusuf Choudhury, director of Piact-Bangladesh, said "ECD programme should be incorporated with mother care as proper children development will not be possible unless mother nutrition needs are met."

Speaking as a special guest, Kamaluddin Ahmed, secretary to the ministry of Women and Children Affairs, said the ruling government has initiated the pre- school programmes in the 64 districts assisted by Unicef.

Barkat Ullah Bulu, adviser to the ministry of Women and Children Affairs, addressed as the chief guest while Wahida Banu, director programme, Aparajeo Bangladesh presided over the function.

ACLAB Executive Director Tarikul Islam and TDH-Netherlands Country Director Mahmudul Kabir also spoke on the occasion.