Poor children learn while playing

RIB Chairman Dr. Shamsul Bari exchanging views with participants at the Children's Fair at Nilphamari yesterday.. PHOTO: STAR

A large number of children up to 5 from 35 'Kajali Model Children Development Centres in Rangpur, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Joypurhat and Nilphamari participated in the programme.

The centres, initiated by local people under RIB guidance, provide pre- school education to children from poor families in an atmosphere different from traditional primary schools. Children at the centres learn while playing and making fun. They do not have to read books. Instead, they use pocket board, pictures, digit and other articles.

Kajali Model Children Development Centre was first set up at Kajali village in Jessore after research by RIB.

At yesterday's fair, RIB chairman Dr Shamsul Bari explained to guests and other participants different aspects and methods followed in those centres. He said local initiators take steps to run such centres and local people contribute to teachers' salaries as well.

RIB provides training to teachers and the initiators. It also supplies educational materials for children and teaching manual for teachers.

Md Golum Mortuza, an initiator of one such school at Pantha Para in Jaldhaka, said the aim of such centres is to make poor children interested in education in their won way. Use of other attractive articles instead of books make children interested in learning, he said.

At the fair, children also performed song, dance, recitation, acting and participated in other activities. RIB chairman Dr Shamsul Bari also joined the children.

Some of teachers and initiators expressed their experiences and put forward suggestions to further develop the system of education at the centres.

A large number of teachers from different educational institutions, journalists and other professionals enjoyed the programme.