Govt mulls restoring universal stipends for girls from Class 6 to graduation
The prime minister also directed officials to launch pilot projects for school mid-day meals in two districts.
Highlights:
- PM Tarique Rahman orders feasibility assessment and detailed proposal
- Officials to assess cost, beneficiaries, implementation and social impact
- Universal stipends previously improved girls' attendance and discouraged child marriage
- Govt also considers merit-based stipends for boys
- Govt plans mid-day meal pilots in two districts
- PM stresses nutritious, safe and quality food for students
- Two meal-delivery models will be tested for effectiveness and feasibility
The government is considering reintroducing universal stipends for girls from Class 6 through graduation, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directing officials to assess its feasibility and prepare a detailed proposal.
The directive came at a meeting of the Prime Minister's Education Assistance Trust, chaired by the prime minister at the Prime Minister's Office in the secretariat today (24 August), according to a press release from the Prime Minister's Press Wing.
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The meeting reviewed the trust's ongoing activities, objectives and role in providing financial assistance to students to prevent dropouts.
It also discussed the impact of the universal stipend programme for girls introduced during the tenure of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Officials highlighted the programme's positive impact on girls' school attendance and continuation of education, as well as its role in discouraging child marriage.
Against this backdrop, the prime minister directed officials to examine the feasibility of restoring universal stipends for girls from Class 6 through graduation.
The assessment will cover the estimated cost, number of potential beneficiaries, implementation mechanism and likely social and educational impacts before a detailed proposal is prepared.
The meeting also discussed introducing merit- and eligibility-based stipends for boys to encourage them to continue their education.
Govt plans pilot projects for school mid-day meals
The meeting also focused on student nutrition and health, including the management of school-level mid-day meal programmes, nutritional standards, and safe food preparation and distribution.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stressed that food provided to students must be nutritious, safe and of good quality, and instructed officials not to compromise on food standards.
Two approaches to implementing the mid-day meal programme were discussed, taking into consideration costs, management efficiency, local participation and quality control.
The prime minister directed officials to launch pilot projects based on the two approaches in two separate districts to assess their effectiveness, feasibility and potential outcomes.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Prime Minister's Education Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin, Education Secretary Abdul Khaleque, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and relevant officials attended the meeting.
