Readers’ Forum

Children should get proper education and guide
Child labour is very common in countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines where about 41 million children work. Children between the ages of 5 and 11, work in the household for over 28 hours a week. Almost half of the working children are girls.
I have observed in Bangladesh that children have to do very hard work and often also in risky environment. Some children are also involved in illegal activities. In fact, the working children are the parts of modern slavery. Out of the 41 million victims of modern slavery worldwide, almost two thirds – 25 million people – are exploited in Asia and the Pacific, making the region host to the largest number of victims of modern slavery today.
I think, they also have equal right to education to develop their full potential and enjoy their childhood. It is high time for the country to create a child-friendly environment where children can enjoy rights to the fullest and can be a part of national development.
Rayhan Ahmed Topader
London