Govt plans to feed all primary school children by 2023
The Cabinet approved the draft of the National School Meal Policy 2019, aiming to bring all the government primary schools under the midday-meal programme by 2023.
The approval came at a cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office on Monday.
Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters at the Secretariat after the cabinet meeting.
“Initially, the midday-meal programme will be introduced at schools in char, coastal and haor and other backward areas of the country, “he said.
The school meal is expected to ensure minimum 30 percent of calories needed for a student each day, Shafiul Alam said adding that the meal will be provided to the students-- aged 3-12-- of preprimary and primary schools.
He said the meal will contain at least four items out of 10 selected food baskets to ensure food diversity.
As per the policy, Shafiul Alam said, the government can form a national school meal authority under the Primary and Mass Education Ministry to implement the school-meal programme.
The government can also form a school meal advisory committee to evaluate the programme and provide suggestions in this regard, the Cabinet Secretary added.
He also added that a pilot program in this regard is already underway in 15,349 primary schools in 104 upazilas, and the scheme will gradually expand across Bangladesh by 2023.
The draft also proposed the program to be operated under an executive body with an advisory council, and managed under division, district, and upazila level committees.
The cabinet secretary also informed that, out of 104 upazilas under the pilot program, protein rich biscuits are being provided in 101 upazilas while three upazilas are getting cooked meals.
The pilot program also found that student attendance increased 11% in upazilas where cooks meals are being provided, while a 6% increase was seen in upazilas getting biscuits.
He also said, providing biscuits across all primary schools in Bangladesh will cost Tk2,835 per week, while Tk5,560 crore will be required to provide cooked meals five days a week, along with protein rich biscuits for once a week. On the other hand, providing students with biscuits, eggs, and bananas will cost Tk7,475 crore.
Under the pilot project, the cost of providing meals in 104 upazilas currently stands at Tk474 crore.