Secondary school heads are urging the Kenyan government to expand the school feeding programme to cover day secondary institutions, as the initiative faces financial challenges that could jeopardize its continuation in primary schools.
A Treasury ministry budget policy document reveals the programme has been reduced by Sh500 million, leaving Sh1.6 billion allocated for this financial year compared to Sh2.1 billion previously. This follows the World Food Programme's withdrawal of donor support in mid-2018, raising concerns about the programme's sustainability.
Education officials and school administrators warn that reduced funding for free primary education risks undermining student retention, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. David Mavuta, secretary of the Kenya Primary School Heads Association, highlighted the programme's role in keeping children from these areas in school, noting that without meals, many students miss classes after lunch breaks.
"A small issue like this can have a big impact. Children who don't get food at school often leave for hours to find a meal, disrupting their education," Mavuta said. Indimuli Kahi, association chair, added that students in non-participating schools face similar challenges, with some returning to school hours late after preparing meals at home.
Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang emphasized the programme's critical role in ensuring attendance in ASAL areas, where a single daily meal can mean the difference between staying in school and dropping out. The initiative currently serves 1.5 million children daily, with Sh11 allocated per student.
The school feeding programme, launched in the 1980s, initially included a short-lived milk distribution effort aimed at boosting primary enrollment and supporting local dairy farmers. That initiative collapsed within months due to inadequate infrastructure, including lack of firewood, water, and funds for cooks' salaries.
