ECNEC Approves Tk 5,452.42cr Feeding Programme for Primary Schools

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a Tk 5,452.42 crore school feeding programme on March 23, 2025, aimed at improving the nutritional intake of primary school students and combating malnutrition. The approval came during an ECNEC meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

Briefing reporters, Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud revealed that the meeting greenlit 15 projects with a combined cost of Tk 21,139.45 crore. Of the total, Tk 14,193.57 crore will be funded by the Government of Bangladesh, Tk 6,539.29 crore will come from project loans, and Tk 406.59 crore will be financed by the concerned organizations.

The school feeding programme aims to support 3.13 million students across 19,419 primary schools in 150 upazilas of 62 districts. The initiative will provide nutritious meals, including fortified biscuits, fruits, eggs, and UHT milk, five days a week. The programme is designed not only to improve students' health but also to enhance school enrollment and attendance, while helping reduce dropout rates.

Dr. Mahmud emphasized that strict management and monitoring would ensure that the food provided reaches the students and is not diverted for sale in local markets. He stressed that Union Parishads (UPs) would play a key role in overseeing the distribution to ensure its effectiveness.

The meeting also discussed the efficient use of government-owned lands, with a focus on identifying and utilizing vacant or underused properties for new projects. Dr. Mahmud highlighted potential opportunities in unutilized lands owned by agencies like Bangladesh Railway and the Bangladesh Water Development Board, as well as industrial estates and closed-down mills.

The Planning Adviser also touched upon upcoming initiatives, including the revival of 10 rivers by the Ministry of Water Resources, as part of efforts to improve river management and address encroachment. He noted that the Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (IMED) would be further strengthened to expedite project implementation.

In addition, the meeting approved several other significant projects, such as the construction of the first terminal at Payra Sea Port, upgrades to Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, and the development of a new medical college in Rangamati.

The meeting also included the approval of time extensions for three ongoing projects and was briefed about 13 projects that had received prior approval.

Advisers and relevant officials attended the meeting, along with members of the Planning Commission.