Govt to launch free uniforms, bags scheme for students from July
The government is set to introduce a programme to distribute free school uniforms, shoes and bags among students at the primary and secondary levels from July this year, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced on Wednesday.
The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held at the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Education Ministry at the Secretariat in the capital.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said the initiative would initially be launched on a pilot basis in selected government primary schools before being expanded in phases across the country.
As part of the first phase, the programme will cover government primary schools in 25 upazilas and metropolitan thanas under all eight divisions. Around 3,522 educational institutions and nearly 100,000 students are expected to come under the pilot project.
He said the move has been undertaken to ensure that students from all economic backgrounds have access to basic educational necessities and can attend school with equal dignity.
“The government has decided to provide school uniforms, shoes and bags free of cost for students. Besides government support, private sector organisations are also joining the effort. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has committed to supplying uniforms for one lakh students,” the minister said.
He further said the distribution would begin in July and the scope of the project would be widened gradually depending on implementation capacity and resource availability.
According to the minister, the programme will first be introduced in government primary schools, followed by Ebtedayee madrashas, and later extended to secondary schools in subsequent phases.
Under the pilot initiative, each selected student will receive one set of school uniform, one pair of shoes and one school bag.
Regarding the dress code, Milon said all government primary school students would wear a common standard uniform, though the designs would differ for boys and girls.
Students of Ebtedayee madrashas will also receive uniforms under a separate design, while the colour and detailed specifications will be announced later, he added.
The Education Ministry will implement the programme with assistance from several other ministries, including the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and the Local Government Division.
The meeting was attended by senior officials and representatives from different ministries as well as leaders of BGMEA and other business organisations.
