Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the ministries and divisions concerned to increase infrastructural facilities for the expansion, development and strengthening the monitoring of scouting in every district.
The Prime Minister also promised to provide necessary government assistance to make scouts as eligible citizens of Bangladesh and lead the nation in the future and continue the country's development programmes.
"You must get yourselves ready as eligible citizens and work imbued with patriotism," she asked scouts Sunday while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 5-day long 6th National Community Development Camp (COMDECA) of Bangladesh Scouts at Haimchar, Chandpur.
She urged the rovers and scouts to further strengthen their service-oriented activities as well as reach the fruits of scouting at all levels through expanding scouting in educational institutions and community-based scouting.
Sheikh Hasina said directives have already been given to the authorities concerned to introduce at least two cub scout, scout and rover scout units in every educational institution as well as one girl-in- scout unit in each of the girls' educational institutions and the institutions having co-education system.
She said the government wants the children to be well-educated with innovative ideas and good mentality as well as to root out terrorism, militancy and drug from society.
The Prime Minister urged the guardians, parents, teachers, religious teachers and all concerned to create awareness so that the children could in no way be engaged in terrorism and drug addiction, says a UNB report.
She said the COMDECA is being held at a glorious moment when Bangladesh earned the international recognition of its graduation as a developing country.
Elaborating various steps of her government for the development and expansion of Scout activities, Hasina said projects involving Tk 1220 million are underway to construct Shotabdi Bhaban and expand scouting.
Another project to expand CABBING in primary schools will be approved soon, she said adding that permission has also been given to use 95 acres of forest land for the purpose of National Scout Training.
Bangladesh achieved 'Growth Award' in the world Scout Conference 2017 for the growing number of scouts in the country, she said and praised the role of scouts for their successful participation in various service-oriented activities at home and abroad.
President of Bangladesh National Scouts and Principal Coordinator on SDG Abul Kalam Azad and Chief National Commissioner and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr Mozammel Haque Khan also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier on her arrival at the venue, a smart contingent of scouts gave the Prime Minister a flag-salute. Some 70,000 scouts and rover scouts are taking part in this year's COMDECA.
