The Government of Guyana through the Education Ministry has launched a $267 million breakfast programme for all Grade Six students.
On Tuesday, the programme was launched by Education Minister Priya Manickchand at the McKenzie Primary School as part of the Ministry’s activities to observe Education Month 2022.
Samples of the breakfast that was served on Tuesday at the launch of the National Breakfast Programme
The National Breakfast Programme will provide daily breakfast to Grade Six students in the coastal regions – Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Manickchand, while delivering the feature address, said that the programme was not birthed because the Ministry believes parents cannot provide breakfast for their children, she said, “we believe many can. But we also know a lot of children come to school without breakfast”.
The Education Minister said that it is the State’s duty to help children as far as finances allow.
She said that research around the world has proven that children who benefit from healthy nutrition learn better and perform better in school, adding that the School Feeding Programme has shown increased attendance and enrolment.
According to Manickchand, this year $267 million is being expended on the breakfast programme for every Grade Six child on the coast. She said that the children living in the hinterland regions are already benefitting from a separate feeding programme.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand being greeted by the students of McKenzie Primary School
The Minister explained that the regional administration in each region was asked to advise on who would be the best persons within the locale to cook and prepare the meals.
This, she said, will mean that those persons will be hired to cook and that the Ministry will be paying for each meal. Further, she said that if those persons contracted to supply the meals cannot deliver what is required, there will be no delay in replacing them.
The Ministry, she added, intends to maintain a high standard on the programme so that children receive what is intended. “So I hope you understand what we intend; for children of Region 10, the children of Guyana will be given a nutritious and filling breakfast at the Grade Six level, every morning.”
