Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered a review of the feasibility of reintroducing universal stipends for girls from Class Six through the undergraduate level.

He has also directed the launch of pilot projects in two districts to assess the effectiveness of the school-level “midday meal” programme.

The directives were issued on Monday during a meeting on the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Trust at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed in detail on the ongoing activities, objectives and goals of the Education Assistance Trust, as well as its role in preventing students from dropping out through financial assistance.

The meeting also reviewed the impact and achievements of the universal stipend programme for girls introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The programme was credited with having a positive impact on girls’ school attendance, continuation of education and discouraging child marriage.

Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed officials to assess the feasibility of reintroducing universal stipends for girls from Class Six through graduation.

He stressed the need to prepare a clear proposal analysing the potential cost, number of beneficiaries, implementation mechanism and expected social and educational impact of the programme.

The meeting also discussed providing stipends to boys based on merit and eligibility to encourage them to continue their education.

Alongside improving the quality of education, the meeting placed equal emphasis on students’ nutrition and health. Various aspects of implementing the school midday meal programme, nutritional standards and ensuring safe food for children were discussed.

The Prime Minister stressed that food provided to students must be nutritious, safe and of high quality, and that there must be no compromise whatsoever on food standards.

Two alternative approaches to implementing the midday meal programme were discussed, taking into consideration costs, management efficiency, local participation and food quality control.

To assess the effectiveness, feasibility and potential outcomes of the two approaches, the Prime Minister directed that separate pilot projects be launched in two districts, with each district testing one of the approaches.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education and spokesperson of his office Mahdi Amin, Education Secretary Abdul Khaleque, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Atikur Rahman Rumon and other senior officials concerned attended the meeting.