KADUNA State Government has announced the commencement of free feeding for all students in public schools.

State governor, Malam Nasir El- Rufai, has also pledged to tackle cases of drug addiction among students of primary and secondary schools in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Shehu Usman Adamu, who explained why public primary schools will resume on January 17 while those in secondary schools are scheduled to return to classes on January 11, said this is to get the stakeholders ready to ensure smooth take-off of the free feeding programme.

Adamu said that within the period scheduled for resumption of students, food vendors would have concluded all logistics with school authorities.

According to the commissioner, the vendors recruited in each of the 255 wards have been organised into cooperative societies to serve free meals in every primary school in the state.

“As you are aware, the 2016 budget makes provision for the school feeding programme. This intervention to improve the nutrition of our young pupils commences this term, from the first day that schools resume. This reinforces our thrust to expand access to education.