Child nutrition in mothers' hands: Pilot project for cooked mid-day meals to begin soon: State Minister Bobby Hajjaj
Chapainawabganj Correspondent
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has announced that, following the experiences of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu in India, Bangladesh is taking steps to deliver freshly cooked meals to children through the active involvement of mothers.
A pilot program for cooked meals will be launched very soon to test potential operational models, which involve procuring necessary ingredients like vegetables, eggs, and fish from local markets and assigning cooking and distribution duties to mothers.
"While methods may vary, the government's core objective remains singular: to deliver safe, quality, and nutritious food to every child at the right time," he said.
The State Minister made these remarks on Tuesday while speaking as the chief guest at an orientation session for head teachers and an exchange meeting on the enhancement of primary education quality, held under the project titled "Feeding Program in Government Primary Schools" at the Shaheed Sattu Hall in Chapainawabganj.
The State Minister said, effective monitoring by mothers' committees has significantly reduced irregularities and complaints. The direct involvement of mothers at the local level ensures transparency and accountability in the food quality, supply, and distribution processes.
"Mothers' committees in every school have been instructed to play a more active role," he stated. "If any discrepancies arise in the food's quality, smell, taste, or supply, it must be rejected immediately and reported to the relevant authorities.
Addressing teacher-related concerns, the State Minister announced that the teacher training system is being overhauled so educators do not have to spend extended periods away from schools, which previously created teacher shortages.
Discussing primary education infrastructure, the State Minister mentioned that transferable infrastructure models are being developed for schools prone to frequent relocations caused by river erosion or other disasters.
Chaired by Chapainawabganj Deputy Commissioner Abu Saleh Md. Musa Zangi, the event was attended by Chapainawabganj-3 MP Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul, Zila Parishad Administrator Md. Harunur Rashid, and Feeding Program PD Md. Abul Amin, along with head teachers of government primary schools from various upazilas of the district.
