Dhaka: State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced the government’s plan to implement the ‘mid-day meal’ programme in all government primary schools across the country by next year. The initiative aims to enhance children’s nutrition and reduce school dropout rates.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bobby Hajjaj revealed the government’s strategy while addressing a press briefing at the Secretariat on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2026. He emphasized the importance of providing nutritious meals to ensure full attendance of children aged 4 to 10 in primary schools and to retain them in institutional education.
Currently, students in 151 upazilas benefit from nutritious food under the school feeding programme. The government intends to expand this initiative to cover government primary schools in all upazilas nationwide by next year.
Bobby Hajjaj highlighted the efforts to maintain food quality and management by strengthening regular monitoring to uphold nutritional standards in the food menu and ensure a continuous supply. Transparency in food distribution is being prioritized through the formation of ‘Mothers’ Committees,’ involving local mothers and women at the grassroots level.
Feedback from the pilot project will be reviewed, and new items may be added to the food menu if necessary. Regarding the introduction of a new subject in Class IV, the state minister mentioned that an introductory textbook on Sports and Cultural Education is being provided, with a full curriculum set for implementation when students reach Class V in 2028. Assistant teachers will undergo theoretical training in the interim.
On the recruitment of head teachers, he noted that over 35,000 posts are either vacant or involved in legal proceedings. Discussions with the Public Service Commission (PSC) are underway to expedite recruitment and placement of teachers in these positions.
Senior officials including Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Jesmin Nahar, Director General (Additional Charge) of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education Monowara Ishrat, and Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi were present at the press briefing.