STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The government will distribute bags made of jute and uniforms to primary school students in every upazila across the country.

The decision came at a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at the Secretariat yesterday, said Atiqur Rahman Ruman, the PM’s additional press secretary.

Ruman said representatives from three ministries -- primary and mass education, textiles and jute, and local government -- attended the meeting.

It was decided that students of two primary schools in each upazila will receive bags made of jute under a pilot programme.

He said the initiative has been taken to protect the jute industry and reduce environmental pollution.

After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Office Spokesperson Mahdi Amin told journalists that the programme will begin in July in two schools in each upazila, with local administration selecting the institutions for the pilot phase.

He said one lakh students will receive the bags and uniforms free of cost in the first month.

The programme will be expanded gradually to include all primary schools.

He said the initiative follows the prime minister’s directive to promote “Made in Bangladesh” products and aims to reduce inequality among students.

LGRD State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said the programme will be implemented jointly by the three ministries.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam said the government aims to revive the jute industry and curb plastic pollution by promoting eco-friendly products among students.