Katakwi district authorities have initiated a campaign aimed at educating parents of children attending Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools about the importance of the school feeding program.
The program was originally launched by Janet Kataha Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports, in 2017, following a strategic assessment of Uganda’s Sustainable Development Goal Two by the National Planning Authority.
However, many schools in the district have struggled to implement the program effectively due to a lack of parental support. Currently, mid-day meals are provided only to exam candidates and teachers, while younger students are left without adequate nutrition.
Angela Akengo, Secretary of Health and District Councilor representing Kapujan Sub County, has stated that authorities are utilizing community forums such as churches and funerals to educate parents on the significance of feeding their children at school.
She plans to submit a recommendation to the health committee for approval by the district council, seeking to establish an ordinance in support of the program while awaiting government policy on school feeding.
Akengo emphasized that a well-implemented school feeding program could significantly enhance students’ academic performance and retention rates. She also reported concerning statistics, revealing that at least 40-50 cases of child malnutrition are documented weekly at Katakwi General Hospital clinics, primarily due to inadequate child nutrition.
She urged parents to actively support school feeding initiatives, highlighting that proper nutrition is crucial for children’s brain development.
Malnutrition carries severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals and communities. It can impede physical and cognitive growth, leading to stunted height, diminished cognitive abilities, and poor educational performance.
Additionally, malnutrition can compromise the immune system, increasing susceptibility to illnesses and infections, as well as heightening the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
