A Daily Meal Helping Children Stay in School

learners enjoying nutritious porridge provided through the SMP

  A simple meal has become a source of hope and a reason to learn for children at Chipho Junior Primary (JP) School in Mzimba North. Each school day, the promise of food draws young learners to classrooms; some arriving with nothing more than a cup or a plate in their hands. What may seem small has made a big difference in their lives.

Attendance has increased in Standard 1 due to the School Meals Program (SMP). Chipho JP School is one of the 20 schools where Ulalo is implementing the program under the Community Activation Natural Resources Management and Improvement of Social Infrastructure (CANARASI) Project. Through a home-grown approach, the project supports school communities with farm inputs and training in sustainable farming practices, ensuring that food for school meals is produced locally.

learners washing their hands before enjoying their daily meal.

The daily meal has helped reduce hunger and has encouraged more parents to send their children to school. As a result, enrollment in Standard 1 has risen from 85 to 128 learners.

 Mwiza Msiska, a Standard 1 teacher at Chipho JP School, has expressed that the SMP has made a significant impact. She further alluded that the program has notably enhanced the morale and attendance of Standard 1 learners, which is particularly important given the foundational nature of the class, where every learner’s participation is crucial.

“Some children come to school with only a cup or a plate because they know they will receive a meal.

Although some learners come without writing materials, the meal gives them the strength to sit in class and take part in lessons. Teachers have also noticed improved concentration and better participation among learners.” Said Mwiza.

A community member serving learners their daily meal.

Commenting on the matter, Headteacher Mr. Thole noted that attendance has increased even in the upper classes, attributing this to the school meals program

 “The program has improved overall attendance performance. The program has brought back some learners who dropped out of school but now are back because of the meal program which brings motivation.” Said Thole.

 He further added that SMP program is a new hope for learners who could barely afford a meal, enabling them to concentrate in class.

 The CANARASI Project is being implemented in TA Mtwalo and TA Mpherembe with funding from Durch Bildung (CdB)  and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation in Germany. At Chipho Junior Primary School, the School Meals Program is more than food—it is opening the door to education, hope, and a better future for children in the community.