State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj delivered the keynote address at a view-sharing meeting organized with officials from all levels involved in the school feeding program on Sunday. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, May 24, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today said no negligence or irregularities will be tolerated in the quality and supply of nutritious food for children under the school feeding programme.

He made this remark while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting with the school feeding programme's suppliers, project-related officials and field-level officials in the capital.

The State Minister said this is a very important programme related to the nutrition, health and future security of children. 

All government officials or supplier organisations must work with the utmost responsibility.

Addressing the suppliers, Bobby Hajjaj said the incumbent government is business-friendly but there is no room for compromising with the quality of food for children in the name of business. 

Those who cannot fulfill their responsibilities properly will not be able to remain in this programme in the future, he warned. 

The state minister said the school feeding programme is currently being implemented in 151 upazilas and projects worth about Taka 5500 crore are being implemented under it. 

If the expectations of the people are not met in such a big programme, it will be embarrassing for the government and all concerned, he said. 

He directed all concerned to strictly follow the new guidelines, which include complete supply chain mapping, appointment of food technicians, ensuring local food procurement and supply, delivering food to schools on the scheduled days every day, and strengthening quality control. 

The state minister said the government must have complete information about where the food comes from, how it is processed, and through whom it reaches the schools under the school feeding programme.

He said the main goal of the government is that children should get proper nutritious food. "For this, the government will provide all kinds of practical support. However, those in charge must also fulfill their responsibilities properly."

Representatives of the supplier organisaations present in the meeting highlighted various challenges and practical experiences at the field level. 

At this time, Bobby Hajjaj assured of further strengthening the cooperation between teachers, headmasters, and local administration. 

He said this is a pilot programme and it will be implemented more effectively across the country in the future by solving the problems that are being identified now.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education, the Project Director, Deputy Director, all the concerned contractors, District Primary Education Officers, and Upazila Primary Education Officers.