KARACHI: The Sindh government, in coordination with a non-governmental organisation, has launched a free meal programme in government schools located in underprivileged areas of Sindh.

Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah on Friday inaugurated the School Khana Program at the Government Boys Primary School in Murad Memon Goth, Malir.

In the first phase, the programme aims to provide food to nearly 100,000 schoolchildren in underprivileged areas.

A spokesperson for the Sindh education minister said that the provincial government will provide funding for the programme and the NGO, Allah Wale Trust, will assist in food logistics, kitchen operations and meal distribution, with the aim of ensuring quality and transparency.

Speaking on the occasion, the education minister said that the initiative would help improve children’s learning abilities and bring out-of-school children back to classrooms.

700 students at Malir school will receive one free meal daily; scheme to be expanded to other schools

He emphasised that nutritional deficiencies hinder children’s learning ability. He pointed out that children in underprivileged areas were severely malnourished, and balanced nutrition played a crucial role in their physical development.

“We are embarking on a journey that will fulfil children’s nutritional needs and strengthen their ability to fight illnesses,” he said.

The minister added that globally school meal programmes were seen as effective tools to improve learning outcomes.

He highlighted that Pakistan ranks among the 10 poorest countries in the world, with 42 per cent of its population living below the poverty line.

In such conditions, many parents cannot provide their children with balanced diet, which adversely affects their growth, he said, adding that when children receive meals at school, their attendance improves and they become more interested in learning.

He called the initiative a support system for poor families, as one daily meal at school can also help reduce household expenses.

He praised institutions like Allah Wale Trust for their local ownership and commitment to meaningful work.

Speaking about the programme’s importance, Allah Wale Trust Chairperson Shahid Lone said from that day 700 children at Government Boys Primary School in Murad Memon Goth would receive one free meal daily, with plans to gradually expand the programme to other schools.

Centralised kitchens will be set up to prepare and deliver warm food while maintaining proper temperatures. Facilities for handwashing before and after meals will also be provided to students, he said.

Additional Secretary Dr Fauzia Khan stated that the programme will be evaluated on various parameters.

To measure its impact, the Body Mass Index (BMI) of students will be recorded before launching the programme in schools and again after four months. This will help monitor children’s growth, health, and other related issues.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025