The Minister of Education and Sports and First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni has revealed that the Ministry plans to implement a feeding policy in 2026 as part of a broader strategy to enhance the quality of education and combat high school dropout rates.
The Minister made the revelation on Thursday at State Lodge, Nakasero, during the unveiling of the NRM Manifesto Progress Report for the Ministry of Education. The Minister stated that according to the Manifesto Implementation Unit, based on a national assessment activity, MOE stands at a 90% implementation rate of the 30 commitments of the NRM Manifesto 2021-2026 for the education sector.
This policy aims to tackle malnutrition among school children and improve education outcomes, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The policy focuses on providing at least one healthy meal daily to every child in school. This measure is expected to improve students’ concentration, academic performance, and overall health, while also reducing absenteeism and dropouts caused by hunger.
This policy, calls for the government to ensure children are well-fed during school hours with suggested options including milk and eggs, aiming to improve students’ nutritional status and cognitive performance.
Schools will receive funding to grow their own food. The government will identify locally viable crops and livestock for each region, enabling schools to plant or raise produce like coconuts, potatoes, or cattle. For example, schools may engage in activities like milking cows or cultivating staple crops to provide fresh meals for students.
The program, budgeted and set for full implementation by the 2025/2026 fiscal year, is already in its pilot phase. Clear rules for implementing the scheme have been distributed to participating schools to ensure consistency across the country.
Research indicates that many children attend school on an empty stomach, leading to lower academic performance, health issues like seizures, and a lack of focus. By ensuring consistent meals, the program aims to improve both learning outcomes and overall well-being.
Mama Kataha Museveni affirmed the government’s dedication to rolling out the program nationwide noting that testing has already begun, with the aim of achieving tangible results within three years.
Previous feeding programs struggled with financial limitations and resistance from parents due to lack of awareness. To address these issues, the government plans to launch widespread education campaigns to change mindsets and support families, especially those in poverty-stricken areas.
Early programs in districts like Arua have demonstrated the potential benefits of school feeding. Arua Hill Primary School, for instance, reported increased enrollment and retention after introducing a feeding program. Students performed better academically, and many parents were more willing to keep their children in school.
The policy is anticipated to create a ripple effect, improving not only health and education but also fostering social development. With better-fed children, schools will likely see increased participation, reduced malnutrition rates, and improved literacy levels.
This ambitious initiative highlights the government’s commitment to achieving long-term educational and social transformation by addressing the root causes of school dropouts and poor performance.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics recently released on November 18,2024, reported that food shortages in schools contribute to school dropouts. It showed that19.8 percent of learners in primary rural schools went without lunch while 6 percent in public secondary schools suffered the same.
The policy also highlights the government’s role in providing infrastructure, teacher remuneration, and classrooms while urging parents to contribute to non-academic needs like meals and uniforms. This initiative is part of a broader education reform strategy linked to Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE/USE) programs. The goal is to reduce dropout rates and foster a more supportive learning environment
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