Pabna, July 24 (V7N) — Allegations of serious irregularities have emerged in the School Feeding Programme at government primary schools in Bera Upazila of Pabna, with claims that some teachers are receiving extra food allocations by showing inflated or fictitious student numbers and allegedly sharing surplus food items among themselves.
The programme, introduced to improve students’ nutrition and encourage regular school attendance, has come under scrutiny following allegations that its intended benefits are not reaching students properly. Authorities have formed two investigation committees to look into the allegations.
According to the Bera Upazila Primary Education Office, the School Feeding Programme was launched in 2025 to improve child nutrition and increase attendance. Under the programme, students receive food items including eggs, bread, milk, biscuits, and bananas on different days of the week.
Bera is the only upazila in Pabna district currently covered by the school feeding initiative.
The upazila has 112 government primary schools with 24,658 students. Based on an average attendance rate of 90 percent, food supplies are allocated daily for around 22,000 students.
However, visits to several schools revealed alleged discrepancies between actual student attendance, attendance registers, and food allocations.
At Gopinda Government Primary School, a visit around 11:00 am found only 18 students present across all classes, while teachers claimed that 28 students were attending. The head teacher claimed that 26 students attended the first shift and 28 in the second shift, with a total enrolment of 56 students.
At Bhabanipur Government Primary School No. 36, the attendance register showed 111 students, while the school has a total enrolment of 190. Local residents alleged that food is allocated daily for 171 students. During the visit, an assistant teacher, Asit Kumar Shah, was allegedly seen eating boiled eggs allocated for students. Local residents claimed that food for 40–50 students remains unused daily and is shared among teachers.
Head Teacher Israel Hossain acknowledged that some leftover perishable items are sometimes distributed among students and teachers.
“Items such as eggs, bread and bananas are given to students, and sometimes we also take them. Milk and biscuits are kept in stock,” he said.
At Rupganj Government Primary School, only around 20–25 students were present during a visit, despite official records showing 104 enrolled students and food allocation for 91 students. Locals claimed that even across two shifts, regular attendance rarely exceeds 50–60 students.
At Mirzapur-Shitalpur Government Primary School, the attendance register showed 36 students present, but only seven students were found during the second shift. The school has a total enrolment of 56 students.
At Komorpur Government Primary School, the admission register showed 315 students, with more than 250 marked present in attendance records. However, local residents claimed regular attendance is usually between 200 and 220 students, while food is allocated for 275 students.
At Talimnagar Government Primary School, only 10 students were found during a visit at around 2:00 pm. Teachers claimed attendance was higher during the first shift, but no students were present in the third and fourth grades during the second shift. The school has 57 students.
Several parents, speaking anonymously, alleged that some teachers were taking surplus food home instead of ensuring it reached students. They claimed inflated student numbers were being used to obtain additional food supplies and that the programme had failed to significantly increase attendance.
Bera Upazila Primary Education Officer Saiful Islam said surplus food is sometimes distributed among attending students in remote areas where attendance is lower than expected.
“However, specific allegations will be investigated, and action will be taken if irregularities are found,” he said.
Bera Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Runalt Chakma described the allegations as serious and said an investigation committee had already been formed.
“Food allocation was made based on demand before the programme started. However, the allegations are very serious. Necessary legal action will be taken after investigation,” he said.
District Primary Education Officer Ashraful Kabir confirmed that two investigation committees were formed on Thursday—one by the Bera Upazila administration and another by the District Primary Education Office.
The committees have been instructed to submit their reports within seven working days. Authorities said action will be taken if any irregularities are proven.
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