Courting disaster

THE KZN government’s Primary School Nutrition Programme is an essential intervention which guarantees that disadvantaged pupils get nutritious meals every school day. With a budget of R1.4 billion, it is one of those service delivery programmes that must be strengthened, one for which the government should take credit.

Plans to extend the feeding scheme programme to high schools should be encouraged as it will play a pivotal role in reducing the high drop-out rate in impoverished schools.

However, the challenges that have characterised the programme as well as court cases and allegations of corruption have served to tarnish this otherwise excellent government programme.

The latest drama in the feeding scheme saga comes after our sister paper, The Mercury, reported that the Bid Appeal Tribunal, which falls under the Treasury, declared the tender invalid and ordered that it be cancelled. The tribunal statement, signed by retired Judge Phillip Levinsohn, recommended that KZN Treasury MEC Belinda Scott “set aside the awards made in every instance and direct that the bidding process commence afresh”.

There are about 1 900 school feeding scheme service providers in KwaZulu-Natal, who supply food to 5 250 schools.

The decision of the tribunal vindicated the unsuccessful bidders who lodged an appeal against the Department of Education, alleging irregular tender processes.

WHILE it is out of place to question the latest decision of the tribunal, it is worrisome that this move might jeopardise the programme, leading to millions of poor children losing out.

A major concern in this unfortunate saga are the poor learners who depend on the feeding scheme.

While the government’s attempt to be transparent and open in tackling this problem is to be commended, those involved are urged to be cautious by making sure it does not produce unintended consequences.

Legal processes and court cases are drawn-out affairs. Nobody would want to see pupils not being fed when the schools reopen in January.

Those presiding over this matter must put the interests of the learners first, and not the profit motive.

This programme is important in ensuring that pupils stay at school and learn.