Government upgrades Tongi Child Development Centre for expanded rehabilitation.
Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain today announced that government has decided to upgrade the Child Development Centre in Tongi, Gazipur, into a national-level institution to expand rehabilitation and skills development opportunities for children.
Speaking after visiting the Child Development Centre at College gate in Tongi, the minister said the number of children receiving services at the centre has increased significantly, prompting the government's decision to expand and modernise the facility.
"Our intention is not to keep children confined here. They will receive education, training and rehabilitation so they can become responsible citizens and later support themselves and their families through the skills they acquire," he said.
Emphasising long-term rehabilitation, Zahid said children leaving the centre would continue to receive medical care and psychological counselling to help prevent them from returning to crime or other harmful activities.
He also expressed satisfaction with the quality of services at the centre, saying that after speaking with the children, none had raised complaints about the food, supplied to them.
Highlighting the broader challenges of social rehabilitation, the adviser said legal enforcement alone cannot bring lasting social change.
"There are separate rehabilitation centres for vagrants, and many who were sent there through court orders later returned to their previous lifestyles. Society cannot be transformed by laws, police or magistrates alone. To combat drug abuse and violence against women, we must build strong public awareness and social movements," he said.
The event was attended by Social Welfare Secretary Dr. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Department of Social Services (DSS) Shah Mohammad Mahbub and Gazipur Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md. Nurul Karim Bhuiyan.
