File photo showing the Kuching High School canteen.
PUTRAJAYA: The first phase of free breakfast programme (PSP) will be implemented on Jan 20, 2020 at 100 primary schools nationwide, said the Education Ministry (KPM).
KPM said the cost of project involving 37,000 pupils and 1,600 teachers on duty daily is estimated at RM22 million.
“The PSP will be held from 7 am to 8.30 am for the morning session and from 1 pm to 4 pm for the afternoon session according to the school management,” it said in a statement here yesterday.
KPM also said the implementation of the first phase of PSP will use the concept of Grab ‘n’ Go which is made up of a milk drink or nutritious drink and snacks such as bread, biscuits, cereal, kuih, sandwich, fruits or hard boiled eggs.
Elaborating further, it said the selection of schools for the first phase was made based on schools with the highest percentage of students from the B40 group and it also took into consideration all types of schools namely national primary schools (SK), Chinese national-type primary schools (SJKC) and Tamil national-type primary schools (SJKT).
KPM said the selection of schools was based on the total number of schools carrying out Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) in each state encompassing all locations, urban, rural and interior.
“The implementation also took into consideration the views of the Health Ministry (KKM) which will allocate a nutrition science officer to each district to advise the school on PSP menu.
“However, the permission of parents is required to obtain consent and important information on the health of pupils such as allergy to certain food so that alternative menu is provided,” it said.
The ministry is also planning to extend the programme to all 7,776 primary schools to benefit about 2.7 million students throughout the country.
However, it said the programme depended on the allocation received and the readiness of canteen operators and schools.
According to KPM, continuous monitoring would be conducted with the cooperation of KKM so that the food provided is of quality to achieve the desired impact.
“Effective study on the programme will be carried out and will be tabled to improve the programme from time to time,” it said.
KPM also said the school breakfast programme is the latest initiative to provide nutritious food according to caloric value and a balanced diet to ensure pupils practise taking breakfast, a healthy lifestyle as well as to stimulate their growth. — Bernama