LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department (SED) on Thursday launched “School Meals Programme” in 16 primary schools of Lahore under the public-private partnership.

There are 535 primary schools in Lahore district and in the first phase, the meal programme would start in 100 schools.

Punjab Minister for School Education Murad Raas was the chief guest at the meals launching ceremony held at the City District Government (CDG) Primary School, Bhabara. District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Pervaiz Akhtar and others were also present.

The programme has been launched in collaboration with Allah Wallay Trust (a local charity organisation focused on providing free meals to students of primary schools), and Honda Pakistan. The SED focuses on holistically improving the school system in the biggest province of the country and the issue of growing malnutrition in children, especially at the primary school level.

Some studies have shown that malnutrition leaves a direct impact on their learning abilities. In order to combat issues including malnutrition and stunted growth among young students across the province, the SED had started the meals programme in eight schools in 2020. It could not be extended to other schools due to closure of educational institutions because of Covid-19 pandemic.

Sixteen primary schools in Lahore are being provided free mid-day meals every day and the initiative is proving very beneficial particularly for the students from less privileged backgrounds. After the start of the programme, the impact on students was measured and it showed improvement in their learning abilities and physical growth.

According to data collected from eight schools, the revised BMI of students saw a 77 per cent healthy upturn. Even the students that are still ‘underweight’ as per standards have shown improvement from their initial measurements. With betterment in basic health of their students these schools have seen an average increase of 33 per cent in their attendance as well.

Given the need and potential impact of this initiative, the political leadership has called on the private sector to come forward and contribute through their CSR components.

Mr Raas said the meal programme was bearing results and 33 per cent attendance was increased and 77 per cent students’ health improved. He said retention of the students increased to 98 per cent in all the schools where they were providing meals. He appealed to the NGOs and philanthropists to donate for meals of the schools.

DEA CEO Pervaiz Malik said efforts were being made to gradually increase the number of schools where the meals would be provided. He said they would suggest the government to include the budget of the meals in the regular budget.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2022