District leaders in Ssingo County, Kassanda District, have announced plans to support different schools by providing free food for students in a bid to boost education and fight hunger in schools.
According to Kassanda LC V Chairperson Fred Kasirye Zzimula, this food initiative has been initiated not only because pupils need what to eat at their schools but also to remind parents about their responsibilities to feed their children and boost performance.
’’Food is power, so we have decided to start this food distribution initiative in a few schools so that parents can be reminded about their responsibility to feed their children at home and at school and not to wait for the government to do everything for them,’’ Zzimula noted.
The food for education initiative was started by the district leaders after 2000 pupils who sat their primary examinations in 2023 in Kassanda district failed their exams. The district leaders believe that the pupils failed because they were not getting food at their schools.
Zzimula, however, did not reveal which schools will benefit from this programme but stated that such schools are fortunate and will not be disappointed by their district officials.
He also noted that schools in the Kassanda district are understaffed, with just seven instructors in each government school, which is one of the reasons why pupils in the district perform poorly.
The Kassanda LC V Chaiperson urged parents and religious leaders who founded some of these schools to take action, collaborate, and provide food to students in their schools, stating that the government cannot do everything for them as it provides free education.