In a bid to combat childhood hunger and enhance educational outcomes, Oladele Fajemirokun Foundation has launched its early childhood school feeding programme in collaboration with local education authorities and community stakeholders to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.
The programme is set to nourish more than 160 children every day to address food insecurity among young learners. It also aims to provide nutritious meals to primary school children, with specific focus on underserved communities, targeting areas where access to proper nutrition remains a challenge, hindering children’s ability to thrive in their academic pursuits.
Programme Manager of the Foundation, Kene Egbus, who spoke during the launch of the initiative in Lagos, said: “The early childhood school feeding programme is one of our vital interventions within the healthcare sector. While collaborating with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education on implementing a feeding programme for pupils from primary one onwards, we realised that there’s currently a gap in capturing interventions for children below this age group, particularly those in Kindergarten (KG) One and KG Two.
“It’s crucial for these younger children to receive nutritious meals to enhance cognitive function. By providing meals enriched with essential nutrients, we not only support cognitive development but also improve participation and overall schooling experience.”
He added that the launch comes at a critical time when the global community is increasingly recognising the interconnectedness of nutrition and education.
Egbus, who explained further that the initiative focused on not only reducing out-of-school rates but also ensuring that children have access to free education and nutritious meals at school, said that the initiative had resulted in a significant increase in student enrolment, with numbers rising by over 15 per cent compared to the previous term.
“Studies have consistently shown that children who lack access to adequate nutrition face numerous challenges in their cognitive and physical development, ultimately impacting their academic performance.
“By ensuring that children receive a nutritious meal during school hours, the Oladele Fajemirokun Foundation aims to break the cycle of hunger and poverty, empowering young students to reach their full potential. Beyond addressing immediate nutritional needs, the programme seeks to foster a conducive learning environment where children can thrive and excel academically.
“We have observed a positive shift in student attitudes, with truancy levels gradually decreasing as children become more eager to attend school. This is a cause that many stakeholders can rally behind. The foundation is eager to collaborate with more corporate partners to secure the bright future that these children deserve,” Egbus further said.
