School Feeding Programme under spotlight during colloquium
THE Eswatini government and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Eswatini recently convened a close-out event of the School Feeding Indaba.
The event, held at the George Hotel in Manzini, brought together stakeholders to discuss strategies for sustaining the program’s effectiveness in supporting access to education and improving nutritional outcomes for children.
Attended by the Minister of Education and Training, Owen Nxumalo, the event served as a platform to reflect on the achievements of the School Feeding Programme and chart a course for its continued success. The Ministry emphasized the vital role of the SFP in ensuring that boys and girls have access to education, while also addressing issues of hunger and nutritional deficiencies that can hinder educational outcomes.
During the Indaba, it was stated that the School Feeding Programme (SFP) is not only about providing meals; it is about empowering children to succeed academically by addressing the barriers they face, such as hunger and malnutrition.
The goal of the Indaba was to strengthen multi-sectoral support for a more resilient and sustainable School Feeding Programme, with specific objectives aimed at defining the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, tapping into Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for material support, and mobilizing support from relevant government ministries.
Key discussions centred around the importance of engaging parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders in understanding their roles and responsibilities in sustaining the program.
By fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration, participants sought to ensure the inclusive quality of education that the SFP aims to support.
Furthermore, the event explored opportunities for leveraging PPPS to amass material support from stakeholders, recognizing the valuable contributions that both public and private sectors can make towards sustaining the program’s impact.
Addressing the gathering, FAO representatives shared the importance of the School Feeding Programme in promoting better nutrition and reducing hunger among school children. They emphasized FAO’S commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen food security and promote sustainable agriculture practices in Eswatini.
Stakeholders who attended the Indaba expressed optimism about the future of the School Feeding Programme, highlighting the need for continued collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders.