Shishu Academy, Dhaka

Shishu Academy (The Bangladesh Children's Academy) established by Ziaur Rahman's government at dhaka in 1976 with the objective of the mental, cultural and physical development of children and of exploring their talents in innovation. The academy has branch offices in all 64 districts of the country and in six selected upazilas of six divisions. There is a 13-member board of directors for the academy and it is headed by a chairman. The director and his assistants, including a deputy director, an assistant director and some other staff, are in charge of carrying out day to day functions. All offices of the academy conduct similar programmes initiated at the head office.The district level branch is headed by a district children's affairs officer and operates under the administration of the deputy commissioner. Similarly, the upazila level office is headed by an upazila children's affairs officer and operates under the administration of the upazila nirbahi (executive) officer. Activities of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy include organisation of events such as the national children's award competition, seasonal competitions among the children, children's fair, annual cake festival, children's art competition, and study tours for children. The academy provides training on performing arts and child healthcare and also has programmes of primary education for children and for publication of books on children. It makes films on children and runs a children's art gallery, a children's library and educational forums like the Shahid Matiur Stage and the programme on the history of Bangladesh.
[Golam Kibria]
(Shishu Academy, Dhaka)