Millicent Hungwe
MASVINGO – In an exciting development for local pupils, Rujeko Primary School has officially launched a feeding program aimed at providing a balanced diet for its learners, supported by a state-funded initiative being rolled out across all primary schools this term.
Under the new program, parents are asked to contribute $4 per month, equating to $1 per week, to supplement the government-provided mealie meal.
This initiative was solidified during a recent meeting of parents, who expressed their support for the plan, ensuring that no child will be at risk of dismissal due to the additional fee, as it will simply be incorporated into the overall school fees structure.
Patience Mapfumo, chairperson of the School Development Committee (SDC), addressed parents and emphasized the importance of this program in fostering a healthy learning environment.
“We believe that a well-nourished child is more likely to thrive academically,” she said
In addition to the mealie meal provided by the government, Taungana Ndoro, the director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, clarified that the government’s contribution might also include essential items such as wheat, salt, cooking oil, and beans.
To ensure smooth implementation, a logistics committee has been elected, focusing on managing the resources effectively.
Mapfumo noted that they learned some lessons from last year, when mealie meal went to waste due to a lack of complementary ingredients. This oversight has been addressed, and with this new initiative, students can look forward to enjoying more balanced meals.
The response to the feeding program has been overwhelmingly positive, with other local schools, including Shakashe Primary School, reportedly organizing similar meetings to adopt the program.
