The Ministry of Education has signed a memorandum of understanding with Food 4 Education, aimed at providing technical support towards strengthening the school feeding programme and facilitating knowledge exchange.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kelvin Mambwe says that his Ministry will continue to lead the programme, while leveraging on the expertise that Food 4 Education has in supporting school feeding programmes across Africa.
Dr Mambwe added that his Ministry is keen to explore solutions that strengthen local procurement, improve data-driven decision-making, support community participation, and enhance programme monitoring and accountability.
“We have an opportunity to strengthen systems, improve learning outcomes, enhance nutrition, and contribute to the development of a healthier, more educated, and more productive generation,” said Dr Mambwe.
The Permanent secretary observed that well-designed school feeding programmes across the continent have contributed to increased school enrolment, improved attendance, reduced dropout rates and enhanced concentration in class for better learning outcomes.
Meanwhile, Food 4 Education Chief Executive Officer, Wawira Njira revealed that the four-year MoU will focus on policy and institutional coordination, programme design and operational systems, data, digitalisation and innovation, budgeting, financing and resource utilisation, and infrastructure and equipment.
Ms Wanjira explained that the partnership will result in designing and establishing model kitchens and centralised facilities that are equipped to prepare nutritious meals safely, cost-effectively, and at scale.
“We will work together on policy development and revision. We will build data systems for the real-time monitoring of delivery. We will jointly mobilise resources with development partners,”said Ms Wanjira.
Head of Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Kusobile Kamwambi added that the school feeding programme has seen a return of more than 2.6 million learners back into the education system, leading to the programme being scaled up to support the huge turnout.
Ms Kamwambi said that the PDU is committed to implementing other programmes that support the school feeding initiative, such as digitising of schools, energy provision, water and sanitation, in order to ensure that free education is quality.
And Permanent Secretary in office of the Vice President, Lillian Kapusana added that the MoU will provide an opportunity to strengthen the school feeding systems and to position the country as a regional leader in advancing child nutrition and school feeding innovation.
Ms Kapusana said that the government is committed to building resilient and sustainable school feeding systems that are nationally owned and capable of reaching the most vulnerable learners.
