Creating better environment for children

Children are an asset of any nation. Therefore, their upbringing and wellbeing must be prioritised. They should be drawn towards education and recreational activities so that they can contribute to society and economy later. Unfortunately, at present many children in Bangladesh are forced into labour mainly because of poverty. Child labour is aggravating day by day. And it can pose a grave threat to the prosperity and progress of the country.
I go for work every day by a human hauler, called Laguna. While going there, I come across several children involved in labour. Some of them assist Laguna drivers while others work as street vendors. The average age of these children is 10. They are supposed to go to school at this age. But they have started working. With the rising levels of inflation, the poor can no longer meet their basic needs even if all family members work. Most of these children either do not go to school at all or are taken out of school and sent to work. Earnings from child labour may provide some relief to the families in the short term, however, in the long term, this will be detrimental to both the child and the society at large.
Children are the future of our nation. And we are wasting this future by engaging them in labour. We should follow developed countries like Japan regarding nurturing our children. Sometimes, we focus on various issues rather than prioritising the upbringing of our children. This should come to an end. And we should create a better environment for our children.

Muhammad Al Amin,
Savar, Dhaka,
sajalamin589@gmail.com