Last week, while many were complaining about sanitary towels in schools, many in the education sector were scratching their heads over a new initiative, in those same learning centres across the country.
The issue of school lunch continues to baffle educationists across the country. For the most part, many agree that it is inconceivable that children can learn effectively without access to school lunch.
This notion tallies with annual reports, which continue to show poor learning outcomes in parts of northern and eastern Uganda. It is no coincidence that these areas also have some of the most alarming poverty rates in the country.
Also that learning in many of these areas stops at midday, as parents and children are left to scavenge for food. The schools in these areas are also unable to provide lunch from their own resources; so, everything grinds to a halt.
In recent days, the ministry of Education and Sports has been at pains to insist that with a shortage of funds, there is no room for state provision of school lunch.
The three main ministers, Janet Museveni, Rosemary Sseninde and John C Muyingo are resolute that parents must find the means to provide lunch to their children. However, the education sector has left the door open for parents and school heads to discuss options of funding school lunch, without the involvement of the state.
Thus some local governments have reached memoranda with parents. Here, parents are required to present dry food rations to schools, so lunch is prepared for the children.
This is being implemented in Kamuli and it is hoped other local governments will find workable solutions that ensure that children are learning and feeding appropriately.
If local governments, parents and schools work together to ensure appropriate nutrition for their children, it follows that the children can develop better, while improving learning outcomes.
school@observer.ug