Primary and Mass Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has aid as per the government’s election promise, the piloting programme of the distribution of free school dresses, shoes and jute bags among government primary school students will begin in next July.
He made the remarks after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Under the programme, one set of school dress, shoes and a jute bag will be provided initially to Class I students of two government primary schools in each upazila, he said.
“Our programme will be visible within the next 180 days and will be expanded gradually to all government primary schools and later to madrasa and ebtedayi students,” he said.
The minister said large business organisations and industrial entrepreneurs are supporting the initiative under corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has pledged to provide one lakh sets of dresses and shoes, he said.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Bashundhara Group will also participate.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said the government has the capacity to distribute free dresses, shoes and bags nationwide.
He said the initiative would ease the financial burden on families as the government is already providing free textbooks and mid-day meals.
“A parent will no longer have to bear additional expenses for a child’s schooling,” he said.
He said the programme will be expanded in phases based on contributions from business groups.
Designs of the uniforms and bags have been finalised by an expert team to ensure uniformity across the country, he said.
Prime Minister’s Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, BGMEA President Mahmudul Haque Babu and senior officials attended the meeting.
