Midday meals, new books to make learning fun

The government is taking a range of measures to make learning more enjoyable for students, including expanding midday meals nationwide and introducing new sports and culture textbooks, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon said on Tuesday.

The government will bring all upazilas under its midday meal programme in the future to encourage students to attend school, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon said.

He made the remarks while addressing a workshop titled “Review of the ‘Learn Through Play’ Information Book” as the chief guest at a city hotel.

The minister said school uniform and midday meal programmes were being implemented to encourage students to attend school.

In a major curriculum change, two new textbooks titled “Sports” and “Bangladesh Culture” will be introduced in the fourth grade of primary schools from the 2027 academic year, he said.

Work is also underway to develop a textbook titled “Learning with Happiness” for the sixth grade.
Sports will be included in the curriculum of Class One from 2028, Milon added.

He also stressed the need to promote indigenous games in educational institutions as part of efforts to make learning more engaging for children.

The minister said educational institutions across the country were facing a shortage of teachers.

To address the problem, he suggested forming a “Retired Teachers Pool” comprising retired teachers who could help meet staffing needs.

He also called for collective efforts to build Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, speaking as the special guest, said children should be given joyful learning opportunities to develop an interest in education.

“Everyone must work together in the field of primary education,” he said.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque highlighted various government initiatives to increase the number of playgrounds across the country and develop talented athletes.

Director General of the National Academy for Primary Education Farid Ahmed chaired the event.

Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi and Save the Children Country Director Suman Sengupta were also present.