Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to expanding school meal programmes during a recent strategic dialogue. Emphasizing that school meals are much more than just food, she described them as essential tools for promoting equity, improving access to education, and creating opportunities for children across the country.
Ms. Qamar explained that providing students with nutritious meals has already shown promising results in Pakistan. Pilot programmes have led to noticeable increases in enrolment and daily school attendance, demonstrating the powerful impact a single healthy meal can have on children’s health, learning, and future prospects. This, in turn, offers hope to families seeking a better life for their children.
To build upon this success, the government is taking several steps to expand and institutionalize school meal initiatives. These efforts include a comprehensive National School Meals Roadmap, incorporating school meal provisions into national education policies, and strengthening cooperation between federal and provincial authorities to ensure the long-term sustainability of these programmes.
Ms. Qamar concluded that investing in school meals is not only an investment in individual children but also in Pakistan’s overall prosperity and future development.
