The government will distribute free school uniforms including shoes and socks to students of government primary schools by July, official sources said on Thursday.
These primary school incentives including also shoes and socks will be given as part of the 180-day programme of the government among selected students under a pilot initiative, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said.
Bobby Hajjal disclosed this information while addressing a view-exchange meeting with leading leather goods and footwear manufacturers at his ministry office.
He added Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities to provide "free jute bags, school uniforms and footwear" to primary school students across the country.
"To this end, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has already started the necessary activities," he said.
Under the pilot phase, around 100,000 first-grade students from two selected government primary schools in each upazila will get the uniforms including shoes and socks, he added.
"The government has undertaken a pilot programme for primary school students, through which quality school shoes will be distributed to first-grade students in the first phase," the state minister said, adding that several major corporate groups had assured support through their Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR funds.
Bobby Hajjaj said the programme should not be treated merely as a distribution campaign, but as "a prestigious and integrated support initiative for children".
"If there is a major disparity in the quality of shoes from different institutions, it can create an unequal experience among children. Therefore, I am emphasising an acceptable standard based on the opinions of the relevant institutions," he added.
