Calls Grow to Cover All Students Under School Feeding Programme

Teachers, guardians and civil society representatives have called on the government to bring all students under the school feeding programme, saying the initiative has increased attendance, reduced dropout rates and improved students’ attention in classrooms.

They made the demand at a discussion meeting held at Araji Bashgram Government Primary School in Kalia upazila of Narail on Tuesday.

Meljar Hossain Bhuiya, chairman of Chachuri Union Parishad, said the programme had contributed to higher attendance and reduced students’ tendency to buy unhealthy food from shops around schools during tiffin breaks.

“The quality of the food supplied under the programme is very good. It is a timely and effective government initiative,” he said, urging the authorities to continue the programme and expand it to every upazila.

Civil society representative Md Nazmul Alam and others called for the programme to be continued and expanded nationwide to ensure better health and quality education for children.

They also urged authorities to determine food allocations based on actual attendance and gradually bring all students under the programme.

Teachers and guardians at the meeting echoed the demand, saying food shortages occur at many schools because meals are currently allocated for 90% of students, while attendance is often higher.

The meeting was informed that the programme is being implemented by development organisation Shushilan in six upazilas across Narail, Jashore, Satkhira and Meherpur districts.

Shushilan Deputy Director Shahina Parvin said the organisation was committed to supporting children’s nutritional needs and implementing the government’s initiative.

“We are delivering tiffin to schools in remote areas despite various disasters and difficulties,” she said, adding that Shushilan had also informed the relevant government authorities of its demand for food allocation for all students.

Former Dhaka Reporters Unity president Rafiqul Islam Azad, River Bangla editor Faisal Ahmed, Shushilan Programme Manager Abdur Rahim, assistant teacher Lutfun Nessa and guardian representative Roksana Parvin also addressed the meeting.