Rwamagana: Parents urged to contribute to school feeding programme
Parents in Muhazi Sector, Rwamagana District, have been urged to contribute to the school feeding programme to ensure that children continue to receive nutritious meals at school.
The call was made during a citizens’ assembly held in Muhazi Sector as part of the launch of a month dedicated to strengthening citizens’ participation in planning and collecting community priorities that will inform the 2027/2028 fiscal year planning process.
Under the participatory planning process, citizens identify projects and services they consider important and urgent, starting at village level and progressing through the cell, sector and district levels.
The Vice Mayor of Rwamagana District in charge of Social Affairs, Jeanne Umutoni, said that during the previous planning cycle, residents raised a range of priorities, including education, roads, water supply and electricity.
“This demonstrates that citizens have a role to play in national planning. When people participate in identifying a project, they are also more likely to protect and maintain it because they know it belongs to them and that they contributed to deciding what should be prioritised,” Umutoni said.
She also said that although the government has established a school feeding programme for children, some parents are still not contributing their share.
“As of today, our government has put in place a school feeding programme for all children in the district, but we still have parents who are not making their contribution,” she said.
Umutoni said the school feeding programme has been welcomed by parents because it prevents children from having to return home at lunchtime, particularly those who attend afternoon classes, allowing them to have a meal before continuing with their studies.
“This programme has been greatly welcomed by parents. We should therefore support the government by making the contribution required so that our children can eat well, have a balanced diet and perform better in their studies,” she said.
She urged parents who face financial difficulties that prevent them from contributing to approach school authorities and explain their situation.
Parents say the contribution is manageable
Mutumwinka Hazina, a parent who attended the citizens’ assembly, said some parents do not consistently contribute to the school feeding programme.
“The amount is small. It is not too much for us as parents. Even if you are facing a serious financial problem, you can find someone to lend you the money, including through a savings group, and pay for your child’s meals,” she said.
School meals contribute to improved academic performance
Emilien Niyitanga, head of Nyarusange School in Karitutu Cell, Muhazi Sector, said the school feeding programme has contributed to improved learning and academic performance among students.
“We encourage parents to make their contributions because they help us purchase firewood, water when necessary, vegetables and other supplies needed to prepare meals for the children,” he said.
He added that providing meals at school reduces the amount of time children spend travelling home for lunch, while also allowing parents to continue with their daily activities without worrying about their children.
Currently, the contribution towards school meals is RWF 975 per primary school pupil and RWF 19,500 per secondary school student.
By Nyirahabimana Josephine
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