Zahid pushes modernisation of Shishu Academy
Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain has said Bangladesh Shishu Academy will be developed as a safe haven for nurturing children’s inherent talents, free thinking and mental development.
He made the remarks during a visit to Bangladesh Shishu Academy and an exchange meeting with its officials as part of preparations for the academy’s golden jubilee celebrations.
An official handout said the meeting was held to ensure progress in organising programmes marking the academy’s golden jubilee on October 6.
The day will also be observed as Children’s Rights Day and World Children’s Week. The meeting was informed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would attend the programme as chief guest.
During his visit, Zahid inspected the academy’s main auditorium, library, Braille corner, storeroom and boundary wall, as well as surrounding areas.
He closely observed the overall environment, cleanliness and infrastructural condition of the academy and instructed the authorities to undertake necessary renovation works to create a conducive environment for children.
As part of infrastructure development and modernisation, the minister set a specific deadline for the Public Works Department and Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) to immediately bring the academy’s long-unused electrical substation into operation.
He also instructed the authorities to install modern solar panels on the rooftop immediately to establish an environment-friendly and sustainable power management system.
To expand educational opportunities for children with special needs, Zahid stressed increasing the collection of Braille books at the Braille corner and adding assistive technologies to make the facility more child-friendly and inclusive.
The meeting was informed that detailed discussions had been held with representatives of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to strengthen security in and around the academy premises, including the adjacent Dhaka University area, ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit and the national-level programme.
Zahid instructed the authorities to establish an integrated security cordon, ensure specific traffic management and maintain round-the-clock surveillance at different points along the academy’s boundary to prevent any untoward situation.
Chief engineers of the Public Works Department and DPDC, the Dhaka University proctor, Director General and senior officials of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, members of its governing body, senior DMP officials and senior officials of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs attended the meeting.
