UCEP Celebrates Working Students Day

On 15th February, 2014, Underprivileged Children's Educational Programs (UCEP) celebrated Working Students Day at its premises in Mirpur. The national NGO organised this event with the slogan 'End Child Labour, Ensure Education'.
Child labour is a major problem that plagues Bangladesh and other developing countries; it stifles the creativity children and teenagers possess. Children are meant to attend school and play, and not engage in labour that is stressful and dangerous. Sending children to work instead of school would have dire consequences in the long run -- in the form of an unskilled workforce. UCEP has taken up the responsibility of addressing this social issue.
Working Students Day is basically celebrated as a campaign against the curse that is child labour. The event featured cultural shows, games and participation of stakeholders. A blood donation event was also organised. The celebration showcased working students, their creativity and aspirations. Though balancing work and studies is a challenge, perhaps it is the best option to stay in the education system; NGOs and the Government have taken up many initiatives in this regard. UCEP is one of the key leaders in this initiative.
Zaki Hasan, Executive Director of UCEP, urged everyone to contribute more for the education of underprivileged children. Sustaining such initiatives and contributing more for the greater good should be prioritised, he said.  
Professor Anisuzzaman; Rasheda K. Chowdhury; UKAID's Deputy Country Representative, Paul Whittingham; Farhana Jesmin from the Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands; Save the Children's Country Director, Michael McGrath; A. Matin Chowdhury, Chairman of Board of Governors of UCEP Bangladesh; other members of UCEP Board of Governors and UCEP Association; members of Board of Governors of UCEP Nepal and many other distinguished guests joined the event with more than 2,000 children.
The main aim is not for this day to become a listed day of the year. UCEP dreams of a day when there would be no children working to make a living, and everyone would have access to proper education.