Feeding scheme expansion to cover secondary schools

Source: Feeding scheme expansion to cover secondary schools – herald

Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

THE Government is poised to extend its school feeding programme to secondary schools to bolster educational outcomes and address food insecurity among learners.

The initiative will be supported by development partners, who are stepping in to ensure that schools, particularly those in remote areas, have the resources needed to implement effective feeding schemes.

In an interview, the director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro, emphasised the importance of home-grown solutions, noting that the community’s active participation following a bumper harvest has been instrumental in this effort.

“The programme is going on well. We are encouraging schools to implement home-grown feeding programmes to reduce dependency on the Government,” he said, highlighting the collaborative approach that combines both Government support and community involvement.

“We have extended the feeding programme to secondary schools. All Government schools should embark on feeding schemes. Even boarding schools should do so to ensure that day scholars have access to meals”.

The impact of the school feeding programme has been profound. It has not only boosted student attendance, but also significantly improved nutrition among pupils.

This initiative is in sync with the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen the education sector and combat food insecurity, particularly in light of recent challenges such as droughts exacerbated by climate change.

Mr Ndoro pointed out that assessments conducted by the ministry have revealed a clear link between the provision of meals and improved school attendance, especially in rural areas.

“Learners who receive regular meals are more focused, engaged, and perform better academically,” he said.

Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary general, Mr Munyaradzi Majoni, emphasised its critical importance.

“The school feeding programme is going a long way in alleviating hunger in schools,” he said, urging the Government to expand this initiative to all public schools.

He highlighted that even in higher-performing, affluent schools, there are vulnerable children who require support.

The feeding programme has been particularly crucial for learners affected by the El Niño-induced drought, which has heightened food insecurity across many regions. By providing at least one hot meal daily, the programme not only alleviates hunger, but also enhances educational outcomes.

Under this initiative, the Government supplies grain, while parents are encouraged to mobilise funds to purchase relish, ensuring that children receive nutritious meals that contribute to their overall well-being.