Zambian Learners to Be Healthier, Sharper and More Focused as Gov’t Adds Milk to School Feeding Programme
The Government of Zambia has announced plans to include milk in the national school feeding programme this year, a move aimed at improving the nutritional quality of meals and enhancing learning outcomes for young children.
Speaking at a high-level side event on public–private partnerships and innovative financing during the Africa Day of School Feeding in Gaborone, Permanent Secretary for Educational Services at the Ministry of Education, Kelvin Mambwe, said the initiative has been provided for in the 2026 national budget.
Dr Mambwe explained that government will engage the private sector to supply milk to Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres, enabling schools to offer more nutritious and balanced meals.
“The Government of Zambia has this year included a component for milk in the national budget to enhance meal quality. With this funding, the private sector will be engaged to supply milk to Early Childhood Education centres, making it possible to enrich school menus and improve the health and concentration of learners,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that Zambia’s school feeding programme has already delivered positive results, including improved enrolment, attendance and learning outcomes. These gains, he said, have encouraged government to expand the programme towards universal coverage to ensure that no learner is left behind.
Dr Mambwe stressed that strong public–private partnerships are essential for the long-term sustainability of the programme, but cautioned that such collaborations must be guided by transparency and accountability.
“These partnerships must avoid conflicts of interest, prevent undue influence, and operate through clear agreements, joint planning and shared accountability,” he said.
He further emphasised the critical link between agriculture and education, noting that school feeding programmes should support local farmers and food systems. This, he said, can be achieved through coordinated, multi-sectoral committees responsible for menu planning, logistics and programme implementation.
Dr Mambwe also revealed that government is strengthening data systems to track food production capacity and programme performance, adding that reliable data is essential for effective planning, monitoring and evaluation by both government and its partners.
He said the Ministry of Education is working closely with key institutions, including the Office of the Vice President, to extend school feeding interventions to vulnerable communities across the country.
While acknowledging that sustainable financing remains a major challenge, Dr Mambwe said government views school feeding as a strategic investment in national development. He added that plans are underway to expand engagement with innovative financing partners, including private sector institutions.
“With support from our partners, Zambia is developing a Sustainable Financing Strategy for the school feeding programme. We are putting in place a clear roadmap for programme growth, monitoring and evaluation, aligned with continental best practices guided by AUDA-NEPAD,” he said.
