The Sindh government, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), has decided to provide free midday meals to children in public schools.
During a meeting between Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama, discussions were held on addressing challenges related to malnutrition and food insecurity among children.
The meeting, which took place on Wednesday at the School Education Department office, was attended by Zahid Ali Abbasi, the Secretary of School Education Sindh, and other officials.
On this occasion, Provincial Minister Sardar Ali Shah emphasized that due to economic constraints and population trends, many parents struggle to provide their children with proper nutrition, which negatively impacts their learning abilities.
He further stated that the program would initially be launched in areas where poverty and child malnutrition are most prevalent. He highlighted that regular meal availability in schools would help reduce dropout rates and improve attendance. Additionally, families facing financial pressure to send their children to work might opt to send them to school instead.
WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama stressed the importance of the initiative, stating that balanced nutrition enhances children’s cognitive abilities and memory, thereby improving their learning potential. She also noted that providing nutritious meals in schools would strengthen children’s immunity, protecting them from various diseases.
Sindh’s Education Minister underscored that ensuring high-quality food should be the program’s top priority. It was agreed during the meeting that the first phase of the initiative would begin in Karachi’s Malir district, with a baseline survey of schools and surrounding areas conducted beforehand.
Through this program, hot meal lunch boxes will be provided to 11,000 boys and girls in schools. Based on the results and progress of the initiative over a year, the scheme will be expanded to public schools in other cities. A robust monitoring system will also be put in place to ensure the effective implementation of meal distribution in schools.