Kadaga Orders Parents to Resume School Feeding, Warns Neglect Undermines Learning

LCC TV NEWS

KAMULI DISTRICT, Uganda – Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has issued a firm directive for parents to resume providing meals for their children at school, warning that the failure to do so is severely undermining both learning outcomes and child welfare .

Addressing a gathering during the belated national commemoration of the Day of the African Child at Nawansaso Primary School in Kamuli District last week, Kadaga criticised a growing trend among parents who have stopped providing food for their children in both government and private institutions . She stated that the practice negatively affects pupils' concentration, academic performance, and overall health, potentially leading to complications such as ulcers .

"The government's school feeding initiatives should not be used as an excuse for neglecting parental obligations," Kadaga asserted, emphasising that the primary responsibility for ensuring children receive adequate meals rests with the parents . She stressed that enrolling children in school must be accompanied by the necessary support for them to succeed, including proper nutrition and close monitoring of their academic progress .

The Deputy Prime Minister also took aim at parents who involve their children in income-generating activities during school hours, such as selling produce in markets. She warned that these practices increase dropout rates and expose children to early marriages and exploitation .

CALL FOR SCHOOL GARDENS AND FRUIT TREES

In a move to supplement children's diets, Kadaga urged school administrators to establish school gardens and plant fruit trees, including oranges and other nutritious crops, to promote healthy growth and provide a sustainable food source .

MINISTER REITERATES CHILD RIGHTS

Speaking at the same event, State Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Mercy Faith Lakisa, called on all stakeholders to strengthen efforts to protect children's rights and welfare . Dr. Lakisa reminded the gathering that the Day of the African Child commemorates the courage of the children who stood up for their right to education during the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, where many lost their lives demanding equal access to quality education .

COMMEMORATION DELAYED DUE TO EBOLA

Although the Day of the African Child is annually observed on June 16, Uganda held this year's national commemoration later than usual due to disruptions caused by the recent Ebola outbreak. The celebration was held under the theme: "Accelerating the Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures for Meaningful Child Participation" .