Free meals for students in Sindh schools

The Sindh government in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) has decided to provide free lunch to children in public schools.

This decision was made during a meeting between Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and WFP Country Director Coco Ushiyama. The program, which will begin in Karachi’s Malir district, aims to improve both the health and academic performance of children by offering nutritious meals at school.

Minister Shah emphasized that many families face financial challenges, making it difficult to provide adequate nutrition for their children. This not only impacts their health but also hinders their ability to learn. By offering regular school meals, the government hopes to reduce dropout rates and encourage more children to stay in school instead of being forced to work and support their families.

WFP’s Ushiyama noted that a balanced diet plays a key role in improving cognitive development, memory, and learning capabilities. Nutritious meals also help strengthen children’s immune systems, making them less susceptible to illnesses.

In the first phase of the program, 11,000 students in Malir will receive hot meal lunch boxes at school. The program will be closely monitored to ensure the quality of food and proper distribution. If successful, the initiative may be expanded to other schools across Sindh.

This program is expected to bring long-term benefits to children’s health and education, addressing both malnutrition and the barriers to learning faced by children in underprivileged areas.