In a landmark announcement poised to transform the lives of millions of young learners, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has confirmed a comprehensive plan to roll out mid-day meals in primary schools across all upazilas of Bangladesh.
The initiative, revealed during the Jatiya Sangsad's question-and-answer session, marks a significant step towards tackling child malnutrition while boosting school attendance and academic performance.
With several bills requiring urgent passage, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed moved to other proceedings, considering all written answers officially tabled.
Responding to Sirajganj-1 MP Md Selim Reza's query on education reform, the Prime Minister outlined a multi-pronged strategy that places nutrition, digital access, and skills development at the heart of Bangladesh's education policy.
A meal a day keeps dropouts away
"The government considers education the finest investment a nation can make," the Prime Minister stated. "To ensure no child learns on an empty stomach, we are introducing school feeding programmes in phases, beginning with 200,000 students in government primary schools this fiscal year."
The mid-day meal scheme aims to address persistent nutritional gaps among primary school children, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Education experts welcome the move, noting that well-nourished children demonstrate improved concentration, attendance, and cognitive development.
Digital classrooms and edu-IDs
Beyond nutrition, the government's vision extends to equipping young Bangladeshis with 21st-century competencies. Key announcements include:
Multimedia classrooms to be established in all primary and secondary institutions, making learning interactive and globally competitive
Free Wi-Fi connectivity for 1,500 educational institutions, including secondary schools, colleges, and universities
Edu-ID, a unique digital identity for every student and teacher, streamlining access to resources and tracking academic progress
Mandatory technical education alongside general studies at the secondary level, ensuring graduates possess both academic knowledge and practical skills
Technical education in every upazila
In a bold commitment to skills development, the Prime Minister confirmed plans to establish technical schools and colleges in every upazila, with polytechnic institutes in all districts. Modernisation efforts will see:
Free Wi-Fi rolled out to 2,336 technical institutions and 8,232 madrasa educational centres within 180 days
Smart classrooms and teacher training programmes in madrasas to integrate contemporary curricula
Technical courses embedded within traditional religious education to broaden career pathways
Six-month tech sprint: AI, cyber security and digital marketing
The Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), under the ICT Department, has launched an accelerated training initiative targeting students in high-demand digital fields. Within six months, learners will gain hands-on experience in:
Artificial Intelligence and agricultural intelligence applications
Cyber security fundamentals
Mobile app development using Flutter
Python programming
AI-enhanced digital marketing strategies
A manifesto delivered?
Many of the announced measures reflect pledges made in the ruling party's election manifesto, including increasing education sector allocation to 5 per cent of GDP and prioritising inclusive, quality education. The phased approach acknowledges implementation challenges while signalling steady progress.
What happens next?
The mid-day meal pilot is expected to commence in selected upazilas within the coming months, with expansion contingent on logistical readiness and budgetary approvals. Meanwhile, the Edu-ID system and Wi-Fi infrastructure projects are already in procurement stages.
For parents, teachers, and students across Bangladesh, today's announcements represent more than policy promises. They signal a tangible commitment to a future where every child, regardless of background, can learn, thrive, and compete on the global stage.