Premier: Over 83,000 S’wak children picked for School Milk Programme
A total of 83,852 children throughout Sarawak have been selected as recipients of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) School Milk Programme in the 2023/2024 school session, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He explained these children comprised primary school pupils coming from families with a monthly household income of RM1,169 or less, or RM310 per capita.
Abang Johari said Sarawak appreciated the collaborative effort between Sabah International Dairies Sdn Bhd (SID) and government agencies in this programme which contributed to the development of the human capital potential of students in the state.
“Challenges are everywhere. I believe and am convinced that it is not easy to implement the culture of drinking milk among students.
“The teachers need to sit and discuss to think of the best way to persuade and inculcate the practice of drinking milk among school students,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Borneo-level World School Day yesterday.
Abang Johari’s speech was read by Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Adding on, the Premier said drinking milk has nutritional and health benefits and helps young children build up resistance against disease.
“I believe there is awareness among parents that exclusive milk consumption is very important for their children’s health.
“Therefore, the support from all parties, especially parents and other family members including teachers, SID, MoE and the state education department is important to ensure that schoolchildren would continue to receive the free milk assistance.
State education director Datu Dr Azhar Ahmad in his speech said the School Milk Programme is implemented simultaneously with the Supplementary Food Plan (RMT), particularly for students from poor families whose household income is at a low socioeconomic level.
“This programme also aims to improve the health and nutrition of primary school students so that they get a balanced diet while at school, and ensure physical growth, mental health and generally to improve the health of school students.
“In addition, the School Milk Programme also aims to encourage students to drink milk at an early stage,” he added.
He also said the World School Milk Day celebration is aimed to raise awareness on the importance of child nutrition.
As such, various activities were carried out in schools in conjunction with the celebration, including a TikTok challenge on drinking milk and awards for schools with the best school milk programme management.
Meanwhile, SID advisor Datuk DeLeon Quadra @ Kamal Quadra said SID was established in 1979 under its previous name Sehat Sdn Bhd.
He explained that SID was awarded a contract under MoE to supply and deliver milk to schools in Sabah, Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Selangor and Labuan from 2011 to 2017.
“In 2020, the School Milk Programme was implemented again. Its beneficiaries are all primary school pupils from extremely poor families.
“Every pupil is given a 200ml box of UHT unflavoured full cream milk every day. Giving unflavoured full cream milk is in line with the government’s policy to reduce excessive sugar intake that affects health,” he said.