Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has announced the government’s ambitious plan to expand the School Meals Programme (SMP), aiming to provide nutritious meals to 10 million children nationwide, up from the current reach of 2.6 million beneficiaries.
Speaking during the launch of 16 modern NG-CDF-funded classrooms constructed under the patronage of Wundanyi MP at Mbauro and Mghambonyi comprehensive schools in Wundanyi Constituency, Taita Taveta County, Migos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing nutritious meals while at school.
“There are some areas in our republic where schoolchildren are not getting that programme, although they deserve it. Currently the programme covers 2.6 schoolchildren benefiting. We have a plan to increase the programme until it reaches 10 million schoolchildren,” said Migos.
Going forward, Migos noted that the ministry will follow up with the matter by looking into what is needed to include schoolchildren from Taita Taveta in the programme.
“We will sit down and look into what is required to include the schoolchildren from this area in that programme,” he said, noting that the hunger that schoolchildren in Taita Taveta County are facing is similar to that which those in other counties are facing.
He promised to come up with plans to increase the numbers and look for funds to ensure that all schoolchildren who deserve to be included in the programme have benefitted.
Launched in partnership with the World Food Programme, the SMP addresses malnutrition and aims to boost attendance and academic performance in preprimary and primary schools across Kenya.
Wundanyi Member of Parliament Danson Mwashako echoed Migos’ sentiments, urging the government to fully roll out the programme in Taita Taveta County.
He highlighted the economic challenges faced by many families in the region, highlighting that a significant number of children attend school on empty stomachs.
“There is a high probability that many pre-primary and primary school pupils in Taita Taveta, especially in Wundanyi, go to school hungry because their parents cannot afford balanced meals every day. This affects their ability to concentrate and perform well in class,” Mwashako said.
The MP called on the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to conduct affirmative action to ensure that children in remote and marginalised areas are prioritised in the programme’s expansion.
“There are funds already allocated for the School Feeding Programme. What we need now, especially in the Wundanyi constituency, is that these schoolchildren be included in that programme so that these children can get a meal in school,” Mwashako said.
In addition to advocating for the School Meals Programme, Mwashako highlighted the difficult working conditions faced by teachers in Taita Taveta County.
He urged the government to recognise the county as a hardship area, citing its challenging geographical terrain and economic constraints.
