SK Bako implements RMT meals in creative, organised way
KUCHING: Sekolah Kebangsaan ( SK) Bako, a rural primary school located about 30km from here, has moved up a notch with a creative and nutritious way of implementing and managing the Supplementary Food Programme ( RMT) starting from this year’s schooling session.
The idea to have the RMT menu, to be served in food and drink containers with covers and presented in an interesting and organised way that appeal to the taste buds of the pupils, was mooted by the school management in collaboration with the canteen operator.
Headmaster of SK Bako, Awang Majri Awang Rosli, 57, said the initiative was taken to improve the menu and ensure the cleanliness of the food prepared as well as the comfort of the aid beneficiaries in the school.
“Previously the food was served in disposable containers, but starting from this year’s schooling session, I have decided to make a difference by coming up with food and drinks served in containers with lids, colourful food and arranged according to the schooling year with those in Year Five to Six at one table, Year Four to Three at another table and so on,” he told Bernama here yesterday.
RMT has been fully managed, supervised and implemented by the Ministry of Education since 1979 to provide supplementary food to primary school children, especially from rural and low income groups, on a temporarily basis to improve their health, physical development and eating habits.
A total of 116 pupils from Year Two to Year Six of SK Bako received the RMT aid this year ( 2018) under the programme which started since the school opened in 2006.
Awang Majri, who has served in SK Bako since 2016, said for Year One pupils, the aid would start early February after the screening process is completed.
“The RMT programme is provided to the recipients every Monday to Friday with the meals changed according to the menu given by the ministry. Two teachers would be on duty to check on the food served and attendance list daily,” he said.
After nine servings from Jan 2 to 11, he said the school has received positive feedback from the pupils and parents.
Meanwhile, Iffat Katering manager, Normala Bujang, 50, said despite having to spend extra for purchasing new items such as food and drink containers with lids, they were satisfied with providing a service with a difference especially in helping the less fortunate.
“Some pupils have also said ‘thank you’ for the delicious food served and I can see they are happy whenever they tuck into their meal during recess. There is also less food wastage,” she said.
The RMT implementation period is not more than 190 days, with an allocation of RM2.50 per student per day in Peninsular Malaysia and RM3 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan commencing from 2015. — Bernama