By Mandla Khoza
Mbombela - Nearly R500 million has been set aside to feed pupils who attend schools in Mpumalanga.
Department MEC Reginah Mhaule made the announcement when presenting her R14.8 billion 2013/2014 budget in the provincial legislature on Tuesday.
"The department has set aside R497 million to provide the National School Nutrition Programme targeting 873 957 primary and secondary school learners in quintile 1 to 3 schools," said Mhaule.
Mhaule said this is a way to improve school attendance and to ensure that pupils are not denied access to education on the basis of not affording a nourishing meal.
"To ensure 100% compliance with good health practices and to better manage this programme, the department will train cooperatives in all the provincial Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) areas on food handling and technical skills related to the Nutrition Programme," she said.
She also urged community members and school governing bodies to establish sustainable vegetable gardens in all our schools.
Mhaule added that the department has set aside R73 million to support all no fee schools in the province.
"Our coverage... is now standing at 85% of children benefiting from this policy.
"It is worth mentioning that at no stage should these schools withhold learners report cards, refuse learners to participate in curriculum enrichment programmes on the basis that the parents have not paid what is coined fundraising fees. This is illegal and those found doing it will be brought to book," warned Mhaule.
The MEC also announced that the department would transfer money to schools twice per financial year. The payments will be made in May and in November of each financial year, she said.
"This is intended to provide schools with requisite financial resources for day-to-day administrative processes. The provincial treasury is (also) training school clerks on financial management to ensure that they can offer a helping hand in improving the management of financial resources in all our schools,” said Mhaule. – SAnews.gov.za
