$11m pilot project to strengthen school feeding programme

The Government has approved $11 million to commence the pilot project aimed at strengthening the school feeding programme.

The funds are allocated in the 2017-2018 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

Estimated at $60 million, the pilot project will run until March 2019, and will be carried out in four school clusters across the island.

It seeks to improve collaboration between Government, private sector and non-governmental organisations involved in school feeding, and mobilise communities to provide agricultural produce for the programme.

The Government is expected to provide $24 million for the initiative, with external entities such as the Food and Agriculture Organization committing support.

So far, promotions for the programme have been done among school principals, teachers, other staff members, and community stakeholders.

- JIS