State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj Thursday said providing midday meals to schoolchildren is not an act of charity or favor, but a fundamental right of every child.
"The main objective of the school feeding program is to improve children's health, ensure regular attendance and enhance their learning capacity by providing nutritious food," he said.
He was speaking at an orientation program for head teachers and a discussion on improving the quality of primary education, organized at a local hotel in Khulna under "Feeding Program in Government Primary Schools" project.
Bobby Hajjaj said ensuring nutrition and education for every child is the government's responsibility and warned that no irregularity, negligence or supply of substandard food would be tolerated in implementing the program.
The participation of teachers, parents and local communities in ensuring transparency and accountability in the program would be further strengthened, he added.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's vision, the state minister said the school feeding program is playing an effective role in achieving the two key goals of primary education set by the Prime Minister - "No child will remain out of school" and "Every child will be properly educated."
"The government is continuously increasing investment in primary education. The objective is not merely to develop infrastructure, but also to ensure nutrition for every child and build a skilled and educated generation," he added.
On ensuring food quality, Bobby Hajjaj instructed the authorities not to accept or distribute any substandard, rotten or unsuitable food. He said such food should be returned immediately and the concerned Assistant Upazila Education Officer informed.
"If any irregularity is found in the supply system, strict action will be taken after investigation," he warned. He also said the "Mothers' Committee" was being involved more effectively in monitoring the program to strengthen oversight.
Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun chaired the meeting. Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Md Matiar Rahman, Feeding Program Project Director Md Abul Amin and Khulna Deputy Commissioner Hure Jannat attended the program as special guests.