Lalmonirhat:In the remote char areas of Lalmonirhat, a school feeding program is making a notable impact on education by encouraging student attendance and improving concentration in classrooms. The initiative provides free meals to children in 310 primary schools across Patgram and Kaliganj upazilas, offering fortified buns, eggs, bananas, and milk.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the program launched on December 28 is benefiting over 42,000 children daily, significantly increasing school attendance and student engagement. Teachers and parents report that the provision of nutritious food has enhanced students' ability to focus throughout the school day.
Headteacher Asaduzzaman Dulu from Votmari Government Primary School noted a substantial rise in attendance, reaching up to 97 percent, as students now receive food that sustains them during long school hours. Students like Heshne Hasin Kingbodonti and Taslima Yasmin Humaira expressed that the meals help them concentrate on their studies.
For parents such as Azizar Rahman and Manjum Ali, the program alleviates the financial burden of providing daily meals, emphasizing the need for its expansion nationwide. Assistant District Primary Education Officer Ahsan Habib highlighted that attendance increased from around 70 percent to 90-95 percent, driven by improved nutrition and enthusiasm in schools.
The government plans to extend the program to 150 upazilas by 2025, benefiting 3.13 million students. The initiative not only addresses nutritional needs but also creates job opportunities for rural women, involving them in the supply chain for food distribution. This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance primary education and tackle child nutrition challenges.