The Punjab government has officially approved a significant expansion of its School Meal Program, adding ten new districts to the initiative. This initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aims to aggressively combat malnutrition and increase school attendance among primary-level students across the province.
The cabinet’s recent decision expands the reach of this nutrition-focused project, which provides free meals to children from grades one to five in government schools. The initiative is designed to ensure students receive essential daily sustenance, directly linking improved health outcomes with higher enrollment rates.
Focus on Education and Nutrition
Sources from the Punjab School Education Department confirm the program’s dual purpose: enhancing student health and supporting educational continuity, particularly in geographically challenged and economically vulnerable areas.
The provincial education minister noted that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also approved the construction of new Danish Schools in Sarai Alamgir and Phul Nagar. This parallel effort demonstrates a comprehensive strategy to widen access to quality educational facilities alongside essential welfare programs.
The Expanded Reach
The expansion targets areas where nutritional support can have the greatest impact on primary school retention and performance. The ten districts now covered under this expanded phase include a mix of regions, with significant focus on Southern Punjab.
The newly included or expanded districts are:
- Bhakkar
- Mianwali
- Layyah
- Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan)
- Rajanpur
- Muzaffargarh
- Chiniot
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Lodhran
- Vehari
More will be added later.
Commitment to Oversight
The School Meal Program initially launched as a pilot in districts like Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, and DG Khan, providing daily milk packs to students. The pilot phase showed considerable success, reportedly saving substantial funds through transparency while attracting over 55,000 new students to schools in just a few months.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stressed the importance of rigorous implementation and monitoring, instructing authorities to maintain a high level of oversight for the program’s smooth functioning. She reiterated the government’s commitment to the children’s welfare, stating the necessary financial and logistical support is secured for the continuation and growth of the project.
Regarding the continuous support for students, the Chief Minister affirmed:
“All necessary resources will be provided for students.”
The government is committed to expanding the program further in phases to benefit more children throughout Punjab, ensuring sustained efforts against learning poverty linked to hunger and poor nutrition.
