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Precious Manomano, Herald Reporter
THE school feeding programme has boosted attendance and nutrition for learners, some of whom had long abandoned school, resulting in authorities taking advantage to maximise provision of education to learners.
The feeding programme has been the entry point to contribute to improved education, food and nutrition security.
In Harare, some learners at Epworth Primary School have applauded the Government for introducing a programme that has proved to be beneficial.
“We sometimes come to school without any food. We are happy that Government has come to our rescue,” said Tadiwa Mutasa.
Children could not hide their joy at the feeding programme, with a majority indicating that the meals will help them perform better at school.
Epworth Primary has embarked on a gardening and poultry project as a supplementary feeding scheme.
Zimbabwe Rural Teachers’ Union president Mr Martin Chaburumunda said it was critical for schools to implement the feeding programme following the El Nino-induced drought.
“Learners need food to concentrate well at school. This will decrease numbers of school drop-outs and pass rates are likely to improve,” he said.
Mr Chaburumunda said that in Makoni district of Manicaland, primary schools such as Chikowore and Lawrencedale are showing good signs with both parents and children welcoming the initiative.
“A majority of schools are ready, although we have some which are still planning the logistics. Parents and children are enjoying it. This is a positive step taken by the Government to combat hunger in schools.
“No one will criticise this including parents, who are supporting the programme by participating to ensure that children are well fed before going home,” he said.
Research has shown that providing meals in schools will increase children’s ability to concentrate and perform to better standards.
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Mr Munyaradzi Majoni said the school feeding programme has made a huge impact in attracting children to school, adding that the initiative is a big motivator in most of the rural schools.
Mr Majoni said in the Midlands, all public primary schools are presently benefiting from the programme.
“Attendance of children has increased in schools. We can see this at Chibvumba Primary School in Mberengwa where most children enjoy going to school because of the programme.
“The initiative has pushed the majority of children in the area to go to school. We are grateful for this noble initiative which ensures that no schoolchildren die of hunger.
“We have seen a significant increase in children going to school,” he said.
Mr Majoni said the Government must also have all schools, including group A schools, on the programme.
The school feeding programme, he said, has also helped improve access to education in most rural areas.
The provision of school meals is one of the most effective direct interventions in the health of learners.
Presently, the programme is going on well in rural areas that are in dire need of food, with the help of school authorities, communities and parents.
Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro said day scholars should have access to meals so they get motivated, leading to better pass rates.
Mr Ndoro urged community members to participate in the programme for it to succeed.
“The programme is going on well. School administrators should come up with plans or income-generating projects to make sure that the programme continues.
“So far, the programme has proved to be an enabler of the education system that curbs absenteeism at school,” he said.
Parents in Makoni district have praised the initiative saying it has motivated the majority of children to go back to school.
Mrs Idah Mukuni said chronically ill children will also benefit from the programme.
“We have children who are born HIV positive, but who are vulnerable. Their parents are poor; they fail to sustain themselves but we are grateful that they are benefiting from this programme.
“They need food to take their medication. So the initiative has helped these children,” she said.
Mr Tawanda Muchenje said: “Our children do not want to stay at home even if they are sick. This is because of the food that they are getting at school.
“We are likely to see a decrease in school dropouts because of these initiatives.”
The programme started last week when schools opened for the third term. Government is providing dry goods such as grain, maize meal, rice, salt, beans, salt and cooking oil for the programme.
School gardens supply vegetables.
About 27 000 tonnes of grain for the school feeding programme have so far been distributed to Grain Marketing Depots and schools are still collecting.
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