School Meals Programme

School meals play an important role in the lives of children and their families in the five districts of the Northern Province where primary education has been affected by the three decades of conflict, tsunami and climate shocks. Children from poor households often trek long distances to school and arrive there feeling hungry and weak. Poverty prevents many parents from providing adequate nutritious food for their children. In such cases school meals:

 motivate parents to send their children to school

 provide children with a daily nutritious meal

 keep children’s attention focused on their studies

 help increase school enrolment, attendance and retention.