Bangladesh

Member since

July 2023

2.95 Million

Total children receiving school meals

16.25 Million

Children enrolled in primary school

12.92 Million

Total investment in school meals (USD)

Figures reflect the latest available data from the State of School Feeding Worldwide report, national reporting and global sources. Governments may update data more frequently, so values may differ from most recent national statistics. Reference year, source and further details are available in the School Meals Coalition Global Database.

Read about our data

National Commitments

Commitment submitted on
October 2023
Declaration signed by the Secretary of Education

Increase the annual budget for school meals in the next three years by USD 456 million by November 2023. This will cover the national programme for November 2023 - October 2026.
Increase the coverage of the national programme to reach 3.5 million schoolchildren from 2.7 million by November 2023.
Provide diversified and healthy foods in school meals, shifting the food basket from fortified biscuits to seasonal and nutritious foods by November 2023.
Integrate school meals in the Primary Education Development Program by July 2027.

Download Commitment

National Progress Reports

Reporting year

Events

Resources

Advocacy brief for climate-smart interventions

Advocacy & Policy briefs

Agriculture & Food Systems

Advocacy Brief: School Meals as Climate-Smart Investments: Scaling National Impact

This advocacy brief positions school meals as climate-smart investments. It showcases how programmes in Brazil, Kenya, Cambodia, Rwanda, and Bangladesh are advancing climate action through local food sourcing, clean cooking, and resilient supply chains. The brief calls for stronger integration of school meals into national climate policies and financing strategies, emphasizing their role in delivering co-benefits across education, nutrition and sustainable food systems.

Download

Case studies

Emergency Response & Recovery Health & Nutrition School Meals Financing School Meals Policy

School Meals Case Study: Bangladesh (Working Paper)

This case study documents the evolution of Bangladesh’s school meals programme, from emergency distribution of fortified biscuits to the introduction of diversified meals including cooked food. It explores the programme’s objectives, coverage, procurement models and monitoring systems, while outlining the challenges of scale-up, cost, and sustainability. The study highlights the 2019 national policy, multisectoral coordination efforts, and the upcoming government school feeding programme (2024–2027) aiming to reach 3.46 million children with a mixed menu model.

Fahmida Akter, Chowdhury Mufad Ahmed, Abu Ahmed Shamim.