Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has renewed its commitment to providing school meals to children across the country, viewing the initiative as a critical step towards greater equity, access to education, and improved health outcomes. At a recent strategic dialogue, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms Wajiha Qamar, emphasized that school meals offer more than nutrition—they play a transformative role in bringing children to school and increasing attendance rates.
The government’s school meal programmes have already yielded positive results in pilot areas, leading to significant rises in both enrolment and daily student attendance. Encouraged by these outcomes, Pakistan is moving forward with a comprehensive National School Meals Roadmap, which aims to integrate school meals into national education policies and ensure coordination between federal and provincial authorities for the long-term sustainability of the initiative.
Emphasizing the broader impact of the programme, Ms Qamar stated that investing in school meals is an investment in the nation’s children and its future prosperity. The Ministry is actively working to institutionalize the programme, ensuring that nutritious meals become a permanent feature of Pakistan’s education system and continue to provide hope and opportunities for families and children nationwide.
