Inauguration of GAK's School Feeding Program in Government Primary Schools

Daily Bijoy News Correspondent:

With the aim of ensuring nutrition for government primary school students and increasing school attendance, a school feeding program has been launched in 150 upazilas across the country with the financial and technical support of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). As part of this program, Gram Unnayan Karma (GAK), a top-tier and national-level private development organization in the country, is acting as the implementing organization in 12 upazilas of the Rajshahi division. Yesterday, under GAK's purview in these upazilas, nutrient-rich child food was distributed among a total of 246,103 students from 1,592 government primary schools. The food distribution activities were completed smoothly in each upazila in the presence of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Upazila Primary Education Officer, relevant school teachers, and GAK representatives.

Local administration, education officials, along with present parents and teachers, described this initiative as very timely for the overall development of the students. In their opinion, regular consumption of nutritious food will aid in the child's physical development, reduce malnutrition-related problems, accelerate mental and intellectual development, and most importantly, significantly increase school attendance. It is hoped that this joint initiative of the government and WFP will be a milestone contribution to improving the quality of primary education and the sustainable development of child education. Teachers, students, parents, GAK NGO workers, and media representatives from the respective schools were present at the inaugural ceremonies in various upazilas of the country.

Daily News/ M A Khaleq Khan