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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh /Health & Science

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From Daily Star · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The government will take strict action following reports of primary school students falling ill after consuming food from the school feeding program.
  • Reports indicate children in Chapainawabganj and Madaripur became sick after eating substandard or rotten food provided under the mid-day meal initiative.
  • Probe committees have been formed, and show-cause notices issued to food suppliers, with legal action planned under the Food Safety Act.

The Daily Star reports on the government's swift response to a disturbing incident involving the school feeding program, where primary school students reportedly fell ill after consuming substandard food. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has drawn attention to media reports detailing irregularities and children falling sick in Chapainawabganj and Madaripur, highlighting the program's intended purpose of encouraging education and providing nutritious meals.

This incident has prompted immediate action. In Madaripur, a five-member probe committee has been formed, and the project director has issued a show-cause notice to the food suppliers, threatening contract cancellation. Similarly, the Education Minister has instructed the Chapainawabganj deputy commissioner to form an investigative committee, including the civil surgeon. An inquiry has already been conducted in Chapainawabganj, with a report submitted and a show-cause notice to be issued to the local food supplier.

Irregularities in school feeding project: Children falling sick after eating substandard rotten food

โ€” Media Report TitleThe title of the media report that drew the ministry's attention.

The government's commitment to addressing this issue is underscored by the directive for district primary education officers in both affected districts to pursue legal action against those responsible under the Food Safety Act. This decisive stance reflects a zero-tolerance policy towards negligence that compromises the health and well-being of students, particularly within a program designed to support their development and educational attendance.

The ministry noted that the programme was introduced to encourage primary education and provide nutritious food to students.

โ€” Ministry of Primary and Mass EducationStating the objective of the school feeding program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.