Dhaka, April 29 -- The government has called upon the business community to support a new initiative providing free jute school bags, uniforms, and shoes to primary school students starting this July.

The request was made during an inter-ministerial meeting held Wednesday at the Secretariat, attended by Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, along with state ministers for local government, textiles, and culture, and the prime minister's education advisor.

The programme, approved on Apr 22 in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aims to curb environmental pollution while supporting students.

In the initial phase, two primary schools in every Upazila will be selected by local administrations.

The target group will in...