Zimbabwe’s National Schools Feeding Programme is facing serious challenges, as schools only receive mealie-meal without relish, placing financial strain on parents.
This issue was raised in Parliament by Warren Park MP Shakespeare Hamauswa (CCC) after legislators conducted public consultations with their constituencies.
He said the programme has become unsustainable, with some schools asking parents to contribute one dollar for relish. Said Hamauswa (via <a href="https://cite.org.zw/parents-step-in-to-fund-school-meals/">CITE</a>):
<blockquote>
We learnt during public consultations that schools are receiving mealie-meal without any relish, which is resulting in parents being asked to contribute a dollar each so that they buy relish for their children.
Sometimes you find a bucket of beans, which is then processed so that they have enough food.
My request is that the responsible Ministry and the Minister of Social Welfare should look into the issue so that the programme becomes beneficial to children because we are told they are getting mealie-meal and you cannot eat sadza (isitshwala) without any relish.
</blockquote>
Hamauswa called for effective solutions to ensure the school feeding programme fulfils its goal of combating hunger and keeping children in school.
He pointed out that despite a US$15 million allocation for relish, students are still eating sadza (isitshwala) without relish. Said the legislator:
<blockquote>
This is bad enough because some children are not going to school because of lack of food… I am also informed that there is US$15 million which is earmarked for buying relish but surprisingly, those children who can read newspapers that there is an allocation of US$15 million, might be asking where the US$15 million is whilst they are eating sadza without relish.
This programme is a flagship of our government programmes which shows the national outlook of the interventions that are made by the government but this programme might not achieve the intended or desired results.
</blockquote>
Some learners sitting for the end-of-year Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) exams are doing so on an empty stomach.
Hamauswa questioned why parents and guardians were asked to contribute money for transport, given the government’s prohibition on communities contributing money to move grain from GMB depots.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The school feeding program in Zimbabwe is facing challenges because schools only receive mealie-meal without relish, so parents are being asked to contribute money for relish. Some schools even process beans to have enough food. A lawmaker raised this issue in Parliament, saying it's unsustainable. He called for the Ministry to find solutions so that children can have proper meals at school, as some students are going hungry. Even though there is money allocated for relish, students are still eating sadza without any relish. The lawmaker also questioned why parents are asked to contribute money for transport when the government prohibits communities from contributing money to move grain from GMB depots.

Parents Step In To Fund School Feeding Programme

Four primary schools near Matusadona National Park are set to benefit from a €200,000 feeding scheme that will last until March 2025.
The schools receiving support are Nselelo Primary School (under Chief Negande), Dove Primary School (Chief Mola), Chikuro Primary School (Chief Nebiri), and Majazo Primary School (Chief Musambakaruma).
Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), revealed the details of the feeding scheme during a media tour of the national park.
In 2019, Zimparks invited African Parks to assume management of Matusadona National Park under a 20-year agreement. The goal is to revitalise the park for the benefit of both wildlife and surrounding communities.
Farawo said that the feeding scheme targets approximately 1,300 children. Said Farawo (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200030502/feeding-scheme-benefits-1-300-school-children">The Standard</a>):
<blockquote>
The scheme is expected to improve school attendance and reduce dropouts. Remember this is a very difficult year.
The harvest from this region was close to nothing owing to the less rainfall received.
The school feeding programme will have a major impact on children’s physical health, development and learning outcomes as, for many children, food at school will be the first meal of the day.
Adequate nutrition is essential for optimal cognitive function and learning. In drought-affected areas, where families may struggle to provide sufficient meals, feeding schemes in schools can ensure that students receive regular and nutritious meals.
</blockquote>
Last week, United Nations officials appealed to the international community for support to help Zimbabwe address the humanitarian impacts of El Niño which is threatening 7.6 million people with acute hunger.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 22 per cent of school-aged children are out of school because of the economic and social impacts of the drought.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A feeding scheme worth €200,000 will help 1,300 kids in primary schools near Matusadona National Park until 2025. The schools are Nselelo, Dove, Chikuro, and Majazo. It will improve attendance, reduce dropouts, and help kids' health and learning. The region had little harvest due to low rainfall. Many kids rely on school meals as their first meal. This helps with learning and cognitive function. Drought has made many children go hungry in Zimbabwe, with over 22% out of school due to drought impacts.UN officials have appealed for help to address hunger in Zimbabwe caused by El Niño.

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