The government has undertaken a special project aimed at addressing educational challenges and enhancing the nutrition of 35 lakh students in 18,000-19,000 primary schools in 150 upazilas.

This massive initiative is strategically designed to also boost student enrolment and attendance as well as reduce dropouts.

In this regard, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has submitted a Tk4,759.35 crore project proposal to the Planning Commission. An official of the commission told the Daily Sun funding would come from the Bangladesh government and the World Food Programme.

The Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting on the project would be held on 25 January with Abdul Baki, member (secretary) of the Socio Economic Infrastructure Division under the Planning Commission, in the chair, he said.

 He further said the project would be discussed in detail at the PEC meeting. “It will be implemented by the Directorate of Primary Education under the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education by September 2026.”

Baki told the Daily Sun this is a very good project, which would ensure food and nutrition for school children.

“Various issues related to the project will be discussed at the PEC meeting. If everything goes well, the project proposal will be placed at the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting for approval.”

An official of the primary education directorate said the project signals a significant commitment to fostering a healthier and more conducive learning environment for students, with the government set to implement two distinct food distribution approaches as part of the comprehensive school feeding programme.

Students in the targeted schools will receive a diversified food basket five days a week, he said. “The basket will include fortified biscuit, bun, banana, egg, and ultra-high temperature milk, ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet.”

In the selected upazilas, a more elaborate approach will also be implemented, offering students nutritious cooked meals once or twice a week, the official said. The cooked meals will include fortified rice, red lentil, vegetables, and egg.

The provision of cooked meals may see gradual expansion considering the budget, he also said. “The meals will be prepared in cluster kitchens or a central one and efficiently delivered to the schools through designated vendors.”

Director (Planning and Development) of the primary education directorate Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said dry, nutritious food would be provided for students in a new way in line with the prime minister’s directive. Children require more nutritious food at that age, he added.

The project proposal says a manpower committee of the Finance Division has recommended specific appointments for the initiative, including project director, deputy project director, assistant project directors, and support staff.

To determine the project’s feasibility, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is collaborating with Development Research Initiative, a leading independent consultancy, research, and evaluation centre.

The Planning Commission has suggested a comparative analysis with the already implemented “School Feeding Program in Poverty-stricken Areas (3rd Revised)” to evaluate food collection and distribution methods, quality, and other relevant aspects.

A similar school feeding programme proposal was put forth by the primary and mass education ministry in 2020, which involved Tk17,290.22 crore. The ECNEC sent back the project in June 2021, suggesting a comprehensive feasibility study.