No suspension of school meal programme, confirms Education Ministry secretary

9 October 2024 08:08 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, October 9 (Daily Mirror) - Despite ongoing discussions on social media over suspending the Education Ministry's programme to provide a main meal to all students in Grades 1 through 5, Education Ministry Secretary J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara said that no such decision has been taken.

The programme was launched by the Ministry since 2023 and the Ministry had increased the number of schools and the number of children who are the beneficiaries.

She further said that to improve the quality of the meals, the budget per meal for each child has been increased. Therefore, no actions have been taken to halt the programme. The necessary funds have already been allocated to the relevant provinces.

However, some areas in the Western Province experienced delays in providing meals due to a temporary delay in funding for suppliers. Despite this, all suppliers have now been fully funded by the Education Ministry through the Provincial Divisions.

Comments - 3

FEED THE POOR AND BLESSING WILL POUR UPON OUR COUNTRY Wednesday, 09 October 2024 09:50 PM

EXCELLENT DECISION TO KEEP THE PROGRAMME GOING, ESPECIALLY SOME CHILDREN GO TO SCHOOL WITHOUT EATING ANYTHING AND HAVE THEIR MAIN MEAL WHEN THEY GET HOME, SAD BUT TRUE. ANURA, PLEASE TRY AND SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING FOOD BANKS IN THE POORER AREAS N.F.P. ORG'S MAY BE ABLE TO HELP TOO, NOT FORGETTING OUR OWN WEALTHY CITIZENS. SUPERMARKETS AND THE LIKES CAN DONATE EXCESS ITEMS BEFORE THE USE BY DATE, LIKE IN MOST COUNTRIES AND EXCESS STOCK. WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE COLLECTION CENTRES IN AND AROUND COLOMBO AND BIG TOWNS, SO PEOPLE CAN DONATE A COUPLE OF ITEMS A WEEK OR MONTH TO FEED THE POOR IN THEIR AREAS. DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE THIS FACILITY, SO WHY CAN'T A POOR COUNTRY LIKE OURS HAVE FOOD BANKS FOR PEOPLE TO DONATE, SATHOSA TOO CAN GIVE STUFF IF IN EXCESS. START IN A SMALL WAY AND IT WILL GROWN WITH TIME, BUT MUST BE MANAGED EFFICIENTLY AND ALL GOODS COMING IN SHOULD BE RECORDED.

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kondaya77 Wednesday, 09 October 2024 11:41 PM

How true ,think of the very least among us is the obligation of the rich. May God bless us all.

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melbournian Thursday, 10 October 2024 04:38 AM

it must not be at any cost, get rid of oversized government, corruption doesn't touch kids meals, it is reported 30% of kids already have only 1 or 2 meals.

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