Story by Tichaona Kurewa
Learners from Hwange District have been given a lifeline through government’s School Feeding Programme which has helped them to focus more on their studies.
On a sweltering Wednesday afternoon, learners at Breakfast Primary School in Hwange District eagerly wait for lunch.
The cicadas’ chorus from the mopane trees provides a rhythmic backdrop as they line up for a hot meal.
For some, this might be their first or last meal of the day.
“We are no longer starving at school, the food we are eating is handy. It also gives us energy to cycle back,” said a student.
Another added, “Sometimes we come to school on empty stomachs, but we are rest assured that there is food at school. Sometimes we bring food, we eat it during breakfast and for lunch we are covered.”
School officials have observed a positive impact on academic performance due to the feeding programme.
“Learners are now attending school, most of our learners live about 5 kilometres away from the school but when the feeding program started they all came to school. It really assisted because learners can now attend school and participate. They are now interested in everything that is happening around the school. It has also helped in improving the reading culture as our learners are now able to read” Breakfast Primary School headmistress Ms Notando Nxumalo said.
“We urge the people with hunting concessions around this area to help us with game meat to feed pupils here. They can also help us to establish our own nutritional garden here so that we can have our own relish,” SDC chairperson Mr Nkuniawuli Johanisi added.
Launched this year in response to the El Nino-induced drought, the School Feeding Programme has provided a lifeline to students after over 9000 metric tonnes of maize meal were delivered across the country.
