We agree with the State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj that providing midday meals to schoolchildren must be viewed as a right rather than an act of charity.
His remarks come at an important time, as Bangladesh seeks to improve both access to and the quality of primary education.
A child cannot be expected to concentrate on lessons while hungry, and for many children from low-income households, the meal received at school may be the most integral part of their daily nutrition.
A properly designed and implemented school feeding program can, therefore, do much more than put food on a plate: It can improve attendance, concentration, learning outcomes, and ultimately a child's prospects in life.
This is particularly important if the government's stated ambition is to ensure that no child remains out of school, and that every child receives a proper education.
Investment in classrooms and textbooks will only go so far if children arrive at school hungry or leave because their families cannot afford to meet their basic needs.
However, recognizing this as a right also means recognizing the government's responsibility to deliver it properly. There can be no room for substandard food, irregular supplies, wastage, or corruption.
Thus, the minister's warning that poor-quality or unsuitable food will not be accepted is welcome.
Transparency and accountability must be built into every stage of the program, from procurement and transportation to distribution at individual schools. Teachers, parents and local communities should have meaningful avenues to monitor what children are receiving, and report irregularities.
Most importantly, the program must be expanded carefully and sustainably so that children across the country, regardless of where they live or their family's financial circumstances, can benefit.
A midday meal should never be something a child has to feel grateful for. It is an investment in their health, education and future -- and, by extension, in Bangladesh's future.
