(BSS) - State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj today said the government plans to introduce the ‘mid-day meal’ programme in all government primary schools across the country by next year to ensure children’s nutrition and prevent school dropouts.

He said this while replying to questions from journalists at a press briefing held at the Secretariat this afternoon on the occasion of International Literacy Day 2026.

The state minister said providing nutritious food plays a highly effective role in ensuring 100 percent attendance among children aged 4 to 10 in primary schools and retaining them in institutional education.

He said students in 151 upazilas are currently receiving nutritious food under the school feeding programme. The government plans to expand the programme and introduce it in government primary schools in all upazilas across the country by next year, he added.

Regarding food quality and management, Bobby Hajjaj said regular monitoring has been strengthened to maintain nutritional standards in the food menu and ensure an uninterrupted supply. Besides, transparency in food distribution is being ensured by forming ‘Mothers’ Committees’ involving local mothers and women at the grassroots level, he added.

Mentioning that feedback from the pilot project would be reviewed, Bobby Hajjaj further said new items would be added to the food menu, if necessary.

Responding to a question about the recruitment and training of teachers for the new subject to be introduced in Class IV, the state minister said an introductory textbook on Sports and Cultural Education is being provided to Class IV students. A full-fledged curriculum will be implemented when this batch moves to Class V in 2028. For now, assistant teachers will receive theoretical training, he added.

Regarding the recruitment of head teachers, he said more than 35,000 head teacher posts were vacant or involved in legal proceedings. Discussions have begun with the Public Service Commission (PSC) so that recruitment and placement of teachers in these posts can be ensured as quickly as possible.

Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Jesmin Nahar, Director General (Additional Charge) of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education Monowara Ishrat, and Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi, among other senior officials, were present at the press briefing.