NEW YORK, Sept 27, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received
an award titled ‘Champion of Skill Development for Youth’ for Bangladesh’s
great success in youth skill development.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conferred the award on the
premier at a ceremony at Labouisse Hall of UNICEF House in the UN Plaza here
on Thursday evening.
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore handed over the award to the
prime minister amid thunderous clappings of the audience.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and
Bangladesh National Cricket Captain Shakib Al Hasan also spoke at the
function.
Receiving the award, the prime minister thanked the UNICEF for conferring
her the recognition. “It’s fact the people of Bangladesh, especially the
children of the country, and also in the world deserve this recognition,” she
said.
Sheikh Hasina dedicated the award to the country’s boys and girls as well
as the people of the country and all children of the world.
“This honour is not for my alone, it belongs to Bangladesh, because the
people of Bangladesh have elected me through votes. That’s why I got an
opportunity to serve them … I earned this honour for this scope,” she said.
The prime minister called upon the expatriates to extend their helping
hands for development of respective schools of the country where they
studied.
Sheikh Hasina said millions of young people with their skills are
continuously making difference in our life and livelihood. “This recognition
also manifests our steady strides in transforming Bangladesh to a responsible
and knowledge-based society and economy,” she said.
Recalling the contributions of the youths to nation-building, the prime
minister said: “Our youthfolk played a courageous role in all critical
junctures of the nation.”
After the emergence of Bangladesh, she said, Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman realised that without the fulfillment of
the potentials of the youths, it is not possible to progress.
“We’re committed to building a knowledgeable young generation who can face
challenges and help build Golden Bengal as envisioned by the Father of the
Nation,” she said.
The prime minister said her government is working tirelessly to create
jobs for the youths. “Each year two million youths enter into the labour
market in Bangladesh,” she said.
“We’ve focused on the importance of skill development and taken several
initiatives to equip youths with proper knowledge and skills. We’re also
encouraging them in self employment,” she said.
The Ministry of Education has taken initiatives to update the status of
technical and vocational education and training according to the local and
global market demands, she added.
“The government is establishing 100 technical schools and colleges (TSCs)
in 100 selected upazilas. Such schools and colleges will be established in
rest of the upazilas in the country gradually,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government designs development plans based on the
principles of leaving no one behind. “The Ministry of Youths and Sports has
undertaken a project to transform the unemployed and unskilled youths into
human resources,” she said.
The prime minister thanked the UNICEF for its continuous support for
Bangladesh’s uplift, particularly development of education as well as child
and women development. “UNICEF is always supportive to Bangladesh,” she
remarked.
In her speech, the UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore highly praised
Bangladesh’s tremendous development in different sectors under the dynamic
leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
She appreciated the Bangladesh government for framing a time-befitting
National Skill Development Policy and implementing it.
Referring to the influx of 1.1 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas into
Bangladesh, the UNICEF executive director also hailed the government for
sheltering such a huge population.
Speaking on the occasion, Shakib Al Hasan said since its independence in
1971, Bangladesh has placed children at the centre of its policies as well as
made great strides in reducing child mortality rate, increasing access to
education and ensuring gender parity in schools.
“Our honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led these efforts from the
front,” he said.
“It’s truly wonderful that Bangladesh as represented by her Excellency
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was recognised by UNICEF for its (country) very
conscious pursuance in skill development for young people,” he added.
The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador expressed his confidence that very good
policies and programmes of the government will contribute to further
achievements in economic growth, equity and sustainable development goals.
Shakib extended heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
as leader of the nation for the wonderful recognition.