Sindh to provide free midday meals in schools with WFP support

KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to provide free midday meals to children in government schools in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP).

In this regard, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah met with WFP Country Director Coco Oshiyama to discuss the challenges related to malnutrition and food insecurity among children.

The meeting was held on Wednesday at the office of the School Education Department, which was attended by Secretary School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi and other officials.

Minister Sardar Ali Shah highlighted that due to financial constraints and demographic trends, many parents struggle to provide adequate nutrition to their children, which affects their ability to learn.

He added that the program will be launched in areas where poverty and malnutrition are prevalent. Regular availability of food in schools is expected to reduce dropout rates and improve attendance, encouraging families facing financial pressure to prioritize education over child labor.

The WFP Country Director stressed the importance of balanced nutrition for children’s cognitive development, memory and overall learning ability. He added that access to nutritious food in schools will boost children’s immunity and protect them from various diseases.

The Education Minister stressed that providing high-quality and nutritious food should be the top priority of the programme. It was agreed that the initiative would be initially launched in Malir District of Karachi, with a baseline survey being conducted in schools and surrounding areas.

Under the programme, 11,000 students will receive “hot lunch boxes” at school. Based on the progress and results of the first year of the programme, the initiative will be expanded to other government schools across Sindh, with a robust monitoring system in place to ensure its effectiveness.