Strict action in case of negligence in school feeding programme: Ministry

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News Desk: The government has taken a strict stance to ensure the quality of food distributed among young students under the project titled “School Feeding Program in Government Primary Schools.” Authorities warned that if any negligence, laxity, or irregularities are found in implementing the program or verifying food quality, legal action — including departmental cases — will be taken against those responsible.

The directive was issued through an order from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The order has been sent to the head teachers of government primary schools across 150 project-covered upazilas in the country.

According to the ministry’s instructions, head teachers must thoroughly inspect food items before accepting them from supplier companies. Under no circumstances should low-quality or defective food be accepted or distributed.

To ensure food quality, several specific guidelines have been provided for head teachers. These include checking whether buns are fresh, soft, and properly packaged. The packaging must remain intact and free from spoilage, fungus, or bad odor. The production date, expiry date, and net weight (120 grams) must also be clearly mentioned on the packet.

The directive further states that eggs must not be cracked, foul-smelling, or slimy. Bananas must be free from spots and insect infestation, while overly ripe or rotten bananas must not be distributed under any circumstances. For UHT milk and fortified biscuits, teachers must verify that the packaging is intact and check the production date, expiry date, and net weight.

The ministry said that recently, various complaints have emerged from government primary schools in different upazilas regarding the distribution of rotten buns, spoiled eggs, undersized and rotten bananas, and other low-quality food items. Due to these shortcomings in ensuring quality food supply, not only is the main objective of the project being disrupted, but it is also creating serious health risks for young children.

In this context, the order clearly states that if any supplier provides substandard or defective food, head teachers must refuse to accept it and immediately inform the higher authorities. The ministry emphasized that no negligence or irregularity in this matter will be tolerated.