BY SETHABILE MYENI
MBABANE – Government has allocated E49.3 million for the school feeding programme.
Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo on Monday explained that government has prioritised food schemes in schools. This, he said, was done as a quick response to submissions made during Sibaya People’s Parliament concerning food shortages in schools.
The minister promised that schools will receive its food supplies on the first week of opening.
Meanwhile, acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Naniki Mnisi, said this investment shows that government is dedicated to providing essential meals to pupils across the country also mentioned that they have started purchasing the food but the distribution process would start on the reopening of schools.
“This is to reduce the risk of food loss usually caused by distribution made before the official reopening of schools. We have had instances where food intended for vulnerable children, including those from orphaned or child-headed families, did not reach them due to misplacement,” said Mnisi.
She explained the role played by food schemes in schools saying that some pupils depend on it as their only source of nutrition during school hours.
Mnisi also revealed that some primary school head teachers have a tendency of demanding top-up fees from parents without any permission from the ministry and she urged them to stop and advised parents to report such.
“Unauthorised top-up fees are strongly discouraged, only the minister has the authority to grant a school the permission to take top-up fees and schools authorized by the minister include Malkerns, Mqolo and St Francis and they are supposed to charge a reasonable figure,” said Mnisi.
