Story by Providence Maraneli
RURAL schools in Matabeleland South province have benefited from the government’s school feeding programme, which has reduced dropouts, and absenteeism and bolstered the fight against stunting in once marginalised communities.
The clock strikes 1324 hrs at Ntalale High School in Gwanda South of Matabeleland South province and a young student, Forget Nyathi is anxiously waiting for something that has become a crucial part of the day at the school.
As each minute goes by, the concentration levels drop.
With his eyes fixated to the digital clock on the wall, this boy’s face suddenly changes with a ball of nerves filled with excitement listening to the school bell.
He quickly gets up and joins a long queue that is already forming just outside his classroom.
In no time, his peers are eating what is on the day’s menu and each gulp matters to him as parents are still recovering from the last drought.
This is the mandatory school feeding programme that has been introduced by the government to counter the effects of drought in schools.
“I am so happy that we eat at school, and I want to come every day,” he says.
“I walk from Mawaza and if I don’t eat at school I get home tired and hungry but thanks to the government we eat here. Some learners would want to take medication at school now they can because we eat here.”
Beyond the nourishment, the school feeding programme has recorded major inroads in curbing absenteeism and school dropouts with many schools in the province recording an average of 96 percent attendance.
“Absenteeism is now a thing of the past, everyone now is coming and confident because they would have eaten,” Gwanda Junior councilor Ruth Mpofu says.
“The attendance has tremendously improved compared to the preschool feeding programme, we are assured that we teach all our concepts from Monday to Friday, with everyone in attendance,” Zhampale Primary School Head, Mr Vusumuzi Makheto said.
The mandatory school programme has uplifted the burdens on the shoulders of parents who were battling last year’s ravaging elnino-induced drought.
“Some children travel long distances and you would be assured that children can walk because there is food at school, we are so grateful to the government,” said one parent.
The programme has also aided in the fight against anemia in young girls.
“The feeding programme is playing a major role in the fight against anemia especially in adolescent girls of school going age, this is a condition that is usually caused by poor diet and with it girls might fail to concentrate at school. So there is a relationship between nutrition and academic performance,” Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director, Mrs Beatrice Manjere noted.
Government introduced the mandatory school feeding programme to improve the nutrition and welfare of children.
Government introduced the school feeding programme in schools to improve the nutrition and welfare of children.
Under the programme, the government provides cereals whilst communities and schools contribute towards relish.
The school feeding programme has been hailed in rural communities as it aided in the communities’ fight against the effects the elnino-induced drought.
