Namibia gov't plans to expand school feeding programme

WINDHOEK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian government is underway with plans to diversify and expand its Namibia School Feeding Programme to upper phases of education to improve access to education and ensure inclusivity, said Edda Bohn, director of programme and quality assurance in The Ministry of education, Arts and Culture here on Monday.

Currently, The school meal is only offered from pre-primary to grade seven in schools across The country.

"The maiden Namibia School Feeding Programme policy draft, submitted to cabinet for debate, incorporates The provision of expansion to upper phases of education and diversification of The school feeding programme meals," Bohn said.

The ministry is, in The meantime conducting an assessment on The nutritional needs of learners in upper phases of formal education, to ensure The provision of appropriate meals upon implementation.

"In terms of The diversification of nutrition, The government also plans to draw on The home-grown strategy, to furTher benefit smallholder farmers who will supply ingredients," she added.

The Namibia School Feeding Programme was jointly introduced by The World Food Programme and Ministry of education in 1991 to provide educational and health benefits to vulnerable children, to increase enrolment rates, reduce absenteeism, and improve academic performance.

A total of 377,521 learners currently benefit from The school feeding programme.