Govt urged to implement school feeding programme to fight dropouts
Officials from World Food Programme, Lions Club and district officials inspect one of the potato gardens at Moroto Municipal Primary school in Moroto Town as part of efforts to promote feeding in schools. PHOTO | FRED WAMBEDE
What you need to know:
- Global evidence shows that daily school meals provide a strong incentive for children to study, boosting enrollment and reducing dropout rate
The Ugandan government has been urged to implement a national school feeding program to address irregular attendance and dropout rates.
According to World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, Abdirahman Meygag, global evidence shows that daily school meals provide a strong incentive for children to study, boosting enrollment and reducing dropout rates.
"The government should fulfil its commitment by finalizing the development and approval of the national school feeding policy by 2025. Create a budget line and allocate funds towards supporting the national school feeding programme with effect from 2025/26 financial year national budget," he said.
He made these remarks at Moroto Municipal Primary School in Moroto District during a food donation event towards the school meals programme in Karamoja on Wednesday, courtesy of the Lions Club International Foundation, worth Shs3.9 billion Ugandan (approximately USD 1 million).
Currently, WFP provides daily meals to over 210,000 children across 315 schools in nine districts of the Karamoja sub-region. Beneficiary primary schools include Moroto Municipal, Cholichol, Loroo, Kalas Boys, Kalas Girls, Kiru, Matany, Awach, and secondary schools such as Pokot Senior and Rupa Seed.
Mr Meygag noted that WFP will continue collaborating with the government to ensure a robust policy framework for school feeding is achieved. Consultations have been undertaken in Karamoja, Acholi, Teso, West-Nile, Lango, and other areas.
"WFP has supported the Ministry of Education and Sports in conducting a regulatory impact assessment and drafting the school feeding policy," he added.
To improve livelihoods, WFP initiated a program directly linking school meals to local agriculture, encouraging better agricultural production. As a result, there has been a steady increase in food purchased from smallholder farmers.
In 2023, WFP purchased 2,345 MT of food from farmer organisations in Karamoja, injecting USD 1.9 million into the local economy.
Mr Daniel Engwan Animal, headteacher of Moroto Municipal Council Primary School, praised the school feeding program, saying it has supported schools in growing drought-tolerant and nutritious crops like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
"We have potato gardens in schools. This program nurtures children's potential and paves the way for a better future," he said.
The school has seen improved academic performance, increased enrollment, and retention of learners, with a current enrollment of 789 pupils.
Mr Edward Okwir, deputy headteacher of Moroto High School, noted that the program enables children to access healthy, nutritious diets at school. The school has an enrollment of 1,367 students.
Mr Richard Eyalu, Town Clerk of Moroto Town, observed that the rate of girl child dropouts has decreased significantly.
"The revised school feeding approach supports local smallholder farmers," he added.
Mr Stanley Bubukire, representing Lions Club International Foundation, said the donation will drive children's school attendance and curb malnutrition.
"With this contribution, WFP Uganda will purchase maize, beans, and oils for hot meals at schools in Karamoja and scale up school garden establishments."
