By McGeorge Mbare
The Beitbridge community has celebrated the Africa School Feeding Day at Lutumba primary school under theme “”A decade of nourishment; celebrating the past, securing a brighter future using home grown feeding solutions.”
The day,recognises the pivotal role the school feeding program has played in nourishing children and improving school attendance.
Guest of honour, Beitbridge Rural District Councilor Chairperson Oscar Chiromo highlighted the importance of maintaining proper kitchen facilities in schools to provide safe and healthy food for students. He also stated the program ‘s strategy which is to enhance learning outcomes and improve school attendance.
“In line with the African Union Decision of January 2016, the Government of Zimbabwe adopted the home – grown approach to the School Feeding Programme.As Beitbridge District we are not spared. All learners in our schools should be fed at school and the food should be locally produced in the communities where the school are situated. This program has been adopted by the Government of Zimbabwe as a strategy to ensure optimal enrolments, improve school attendance, retention and completion rates.This strategy enhances learning outcomes and helps to achieve positive nutrition and health outcomes for all…,” Council Chiromo stated.
Councilor Chiromo also lauded the African School Feeding strategies for boosting livelihoods of local people as it links the demand for food products by schools to the local smallholder farmers.
Since it’s establishment in 2016,the African Schools Feeding program has promoted cohesion bringing together government agencies, educators, learners and the private sector mainly farmers together for the success of the program.