প্রবন্ধ

School Meals Igniting Dreams

০১ এপ্রিল ২০২৪

School meals go beyond what’s on a plate; they are an investment in future generations.

School meals offer young learners the chance to develop and thrive with a healthy mind and body. It not only tackles education and food system challenges but also fosters stability and prosperity within communities.

Evidence from studies done in Bangladesh shows that in addition to increasing school enrolment and retention, school meals help to address both immediate hunger and nutritional needs of children. Quantitatively, school meals have led enrolment rates to surged by 14.2%, attendance by 8.2%, and completion rates by 14%, while dropout rates declined by 7.5%. Children in areas benefiting from school meals showed improved BMI status and a reduced prevalence of anaemia. Beyond health and education, the program bolstered the local economy and opened up new employment avenues.

WFP has working with the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in Bangladesh to support pre-primary and primary children in the National School Feeding Programme in 104 poverty-prone subdistricts since 2011.

Under WFP Bangladesh’s school feeding programme, fortified biscuits are distributed to primary school students to ensure they receive key micro– and macro– nutrients to support their overall development and to help achieve the country’s quality primary education targets.

Provided free-of-charge, the biscuits also provide parents with an incentive to keep boys and girls in school. With support from United States Department of Agriculture McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, the school feeding programme also delivers an “essential learning package”. This initiative involves training students as "Little Doctors" to conduct basic health checkup and create awareness on nutrition and hygiene. Under the "Little Agriculturists" activity, groups of students are empowered to establish school vegetable gardens, fostering hands-on agricultural skills. Additionally, trained "Book Captains" play a pivotal role in cultivating a passion for reading and writing among children, enriching their educational journey. Women are actively engaged within school management committees to enhance their leadership and standing within the wider community.

Regular access to nutritious food has not only ensured no-one is left studying on an empty stomach but has also ignited the dreams of many children across Bangladesh. Below is a collection of some of the inspiring children we met in recent months, who opened up about their aspirations.

ফটো: © WFP/2024	“I want to become a doctor. I regularly go to school so that I don’t miss anything I remember how doctors took care of me after my accident. I want to serve children with disabilities and those who are suffering from different illnesses,” said Afnan Jannat Nishat, a third-grade student who attends the Chakboita Government Primary School, located in a remote area within Rajapalong of the Ukhiya sub-district of Cox’s Bazar. Three years ago, Nishat was involved in a terrible accident and lost her left leg. However, undeterred, and with the aid of a prosthetic leg, Nishat continued to travel the long distance to her school every morning.
ফটো: © WFP/2024	"At home, during my leisure time, I read storybooks to my younger brother. I read two storybooks every week. I love reading storybooks. I wish to have a library at home so I can distribute books to my neighbors and spread the joy of reading,” said Nafisa Sultana, 10, a fifth-grade student at Lombaghona Government Primary School. As her class’s book captain, Nafisa learned how to organize, collect, and distribute books, which she thoroughly enjoys.
ফটো: © WFP/2024	“I check the vision of my classmates using a vision chart. I find my role as a 'Little Doctor' very meaningful, and I dream of becoming a real doctor and serving my community,” said Debasmita Das Real, 12, a 5th grader at Uttor Borghop Govt. Primary School in Cox’s Bazar. Through the 'Little Doctors' program, supported by WFP and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Real was trained to conduct basic health check-ups such as measuring height and weight and checking the vision of her peers using a vision chart. The nutritious fortified biscuits provided by WFP and USDA also help ensure that children like Real stay healthy and motivated to pursue their education.
ফটো: © WFP/2024	Ten-year-old Naima Sultana's happiness knows no bounds! Alongside her mother, she harvested 5 kg of various types of vegetables from their homestead garden - lady's finger, cucumber, bitter gourd, and spiny gourd! Her mother cooks the vegetables they grew, and their family enjoys a hearty meal. The “Little Agriculturist” activity, that Naima is a part of, not only motivated children to set up gardens at their homes but also supported their nutritional needs and that their families.
ফটো: © WFP/2024	Naima’s friend Rafia is also a “Little Agriculturist”. Rafia's mother, Mrs. Parvin Akhter, said, "My daughter saw a garden in her school and asked me to set up a garden at home. She regularly took care of it and watered the plants. Now, we have been getting a steady supply of vegetables from the garden, and we haven't had to buy any vegetables for the last three months.”
ফটো: © WFP/2024	8-year-old Osman Gani from Cox’s Bazar was not particularly interested in studies. Concerned about his lack of interest, his father, Salim Ullah, a farmer, admitted him to the 3rd grade of WFP-USDA supported Ruppoti Government Private School The result? Osman began attending school more regularly and actively participating in class. His excellent results in the 3rd term assessment left everyone astonished! Brimming with new-found zeal, Osman now aspires to become a doctor.