MILK TO BE ADDED TO ZAMBIA'S SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME



 Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Educational Services - Dr. Kelvin Mambwe has announced that government will this year include a component of milk to enhance meal quality in the school feeding programme.

He said the government would engage the private sector to supply the milk to Early Childhood Centres.

“The Government of Zambia has this year included in the national budget allocation a component for milk to enhance meal quality. With this funding, the private sector will be engaged to supply milk to Early Childhood Education-ECE centres. This has made it possible to enrich school menus with nutritious foods, improving the health and concentration of learners,” he said.

Dr. Mambwe was speaking during the Public-Private Partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms to enhance investment in school meals side-event at the 11th Africa Day of School Feeding in Botswana held under the theme “Ensuring access to nutritious meals, clean water and hygiene.”

He stated that the school feeding programme in Zambia has significantly improved enrollment, attendance, and learning outcomes, which has encouraged the government to expand the programme toward universal coverage so that no learner is left behind.

Dr. Mambwe said strong Public and Private Partnerships are essential for sustainability. 

“Such partnerships must avoid conflicts of interest, prevent undue influence, operate through clear agreements, joint planning, and shared accountability,” Dr Mambwe said.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that the link between agriculture and education is critical and that school feeding should support local farmers and food systems through coordinated, multi-sectoral committees that oversee menus, logistics and implementation.

He added that the government is strengthening data systems to track food production capacities and programme performance, emphasizing that reliable information enables better planning, monitoring, and documentation of progress by government and partners.

Dr. Mambwe presented that the Ministry of Education is working with key institutions, including the Office of the Vice President, to extend programs to vulnerable communities.

He noted that sustainable financing remains a major pillar adding that while governments must increase budgetary allocations as a targeted investment in national development, plans are underway to expand engagement with innovative funding partners, including private sector institutions. 

The Permanent Secretary further added that the government, with support from partners, is in the process of developing a Sustainable Financing Strategy for the school feeding programme.

“Zambia is developing a clear roadmap for programme growth, monitoring, and evaluation. We are aligning our efforts with continental best practices guided by AUDA-NEPAD” Dr. Mambwe emphasised.

This is according to a statement issued by Julia Malunga, First Secretary-Press at Zambia High Commission, Gaborone, Botswana.

ES


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