Sherpur: A free mid-day meal distribution programme has been launched in all government primary schools in Nakla upazila of the district as part of an ongoing initiative aimed at improving the quality of education and promoting student well-being. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Jahangir Alam inaugurated the programme at Nakla Model Government Primary School.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a total of 472 students were present at the event, where UHT milk packets were distributed to mark the launch. The headmaster of the school, Muhammad Fakhrul Alam, along with Assistant District Primary Education Officer Md. Shahiduzzaman and Upazila Primary Education Officer Monirul Islam, were also present.
The Upazila Primary Education Office stated that the free ‘Mid-Day Meal’ programme was first introduced in Nakla upazila a decade ago, beginning with 119 government primary schools. The initiative has since expanded with the aim of providing nutritious food to students on school days, thereby supporting their physical and educational development.
Under the newly-updated feeding programme, students will receive a variety of nutritional foods, including ban roti (bread), UHT milk, fortified biscuits, boiled eggs, and local seasonal fruits or bananas, which will be distributed twice a week. Speaking at the event, Upazila Social Service Officer Md. Roman Hasan highlighted the importance of such initiatives in ensuring that students receive the nourishment needed to concentrate in class and succeed academically.
The event was attended by various officials, including Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Nasrin Jahan, URC Instructor Shahinur Siddiqui, Assistant Primary Education Officers Abdullah Al Nahid and Rujina Khatun, and General Secretary of the Upazila Primary Teachers’ Association Lutfar Rahman Ujjal, among others.