Five Pupils Fall Ill Following School Feeding Programme Meal in Shibganj

On Saturday, 25 April 2026, an incident involving food safety occurred at Chatra Government Primary School in the Chakkirti Union of Shibganj Upazila, Chapainawabganj. Five students fell ill shortly after consuming meals provided under the government’s school feeding project, while approximately 25 others reported varying degrees of physical discomfort and abdominal pain.

Details of the Incident

According to school authorities, the incident transpired at approximately 11:30 am. The students were served a meal consisting of boiled eggs and bread. Within a short duration of consumption, five pupils displayed visible symptoms of illness. Furthermore, an additional 25 students informed faculty members of gastrointestinal distress and general malaise.

In response to the developing situation, the school administration declared an early dismissal, permitting the affected students to return to their homes for recovery. Meftahuddoula, the Headmaster of Chatra Government Primary School, confirmed the details of the event and noted that all affected children are currently in stable condition and recovering at home.

Administrative Response and Investigation

Local authorities have moved swiftly to investigate the cause of the sudden illness. The Shibganj Upazila Administration has collected samples of the food items—specifically the bread and boiled eggs—to be dispatched to a laboratory for formal chemical and microbiological analysis.

Mazharul Islam, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Shibganj, stated that a directive has been issued to suspend all food distribution activities by the responsible provider until a comprehensive laboratory report is finalised. This measure aims to prevent further risk to the student population across the region.

Musabbir Hossain Khan, the Shibganj Upazila Primary Education Officer, provided the following updates:

• Education officials have conducted home visits to monitor the health status of the ill students.

• All students involved in the incident are reported to be out of danger.

• A formal explanation has been demanded from the non-governmental organisation (NGO) responsible for the catering.

The Role of ‘Gram Unnayan Karma’ (GUK)

The catering and logistics for the school feeding project in this region are managed by the NGO Gram Unnayan Karma (GUK). The organisation is currently contracted to provide meals to 240 primary schools within the Shibganj Upazila.

The incident on Saturday is notably the second such occurrence linked to this provider within the same week. On the preceding Thursday, a similar episode of illness was reported at Shankarbi-1 Government Primary School in Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila, where students also fell ill after consuming food supplied by the same agency.

National Context: The Mid-Day Meal Initiative

This incident occurs amidst broader government efforts to standardise and expand nutritional support for primary education. Mahdi Amin has previously indicated that the government maintains a strategic plan to ensure that every primary school student across the nation receives a “Mid-Day Meal.” The objective of the school feeding project is to enhance student attendance and address nutritional deficiencies; however, these recent events in Chapainawabganj have raised significant concerns regarding the quality control and hygiene standards maintained by third-party vendors.

Pending the results of the laboratory tests, food distribution remains strictly prohibited in the affected schools to ensure the safety of the pupils. Authorities have reiterated that no compromises will be made regarding the health and well-being of the children enrolled in the feeding programme.