Khulna City Corporation (KCC) has announced a plan to make the city free from child labour, child marriage and school dropouts within the next five years, while also turning Khulna into a green and clean city.
The commitment was made at a programme organised by World Vision Bangladesh’s Khulna Urban Area Programme at CSS Ava Centre on Monday. KCC Administrator Md Nazrul Islam Monju attended the event as the chief guest.
World Vision Bangladesh Khulna Senior Manager Liton Mondol presented development activities and research findings. He said the KCC area has 1,134 slums with around 16,218 residents and 159 high-risk zones where nearly 7,915 children live. These children are being supported through 81 EPA centres.
According to the presentation, 6,300 health and hygiene training sessions have been conducted, awareness programmes reached 2,762 children and 3,000 trees were planted. Four critically ill children received treatment in Dhaka, while 2,035 children were given clay banks as part of savings initiatives. Six child marriages were prevented through awareness campaigns, and 150 out of 222 school dropouts were brought back to school.
Researchers from Khulna University presented findings from a survey of 400 households. The study found that poverty, malnutrition, unsafe playgrounds and irregular school attendance remain major challenges. About 23% of children attend school irregularly, while 6% work as day labourers or domestic workers.
World Vision National Director Suresh Bartlett said child labour and child marriage are caused not only by poverty but also by lack of education and social awareness. He stressed that ensuring education is essential to reducing poverty.
KCC Administrator Monju said the city corporation is already working on improved waste management and accountability to build a cleaner city. He added that coordinated efforts by government agencies, NGOs and communities are needed to create a safer future for children.
