Published: 11:50 PM, 12 November 2026
'Govt exploring new school feeding models'
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Thursday said the government was exploring alternative food delivery models, including coupon-based distribution and cooked meals, while continuing the ongoing school feeding programme.
"Currently, around three million students receive food every day under the programme. Ensuring nutritional value, food safety, quality and accountability without disrupting the programme is our priority," he said.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a delegation led by World Food Programme (WFP) Bangladesh Resident Representative and Country Director Coco Ushiyama at his office at the Secretariat, BSS reports.
The State Minister said feasibility assessments, pilot projects and evaluations were necessary before introducing alternative systems, which could take six months to one year to prepare.
He said suspending the existing programme while exploring alternatives would not be practical, stressing the need to ensure continuity alongside necessary improvements.
Bobby Hajjaj said the tenure of eight of the 26 procurement packages under the ongoing programme had expired.
The government was examining the possibility of extending existing tenders and inviting fresh tenders later, he said.
He also stressed strengthening food safety, nutritional quality, transportation, storage and monitoring.
The WFP delegation proposed a rapid review of the programme, focusing on nutritional value, food safety and operational capacity at the field level. It also assured technical assistance and expert support.
The delegation expressed interest in sharing international best practices, particularly from Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.
It also highlighted the potential of involving local farmers to support student nutrition and the local economy.
WFP Head of Programme Jesse Wood and other officials of WFP and the ministry attended the meeting.
