The Equal Education Movement and other human rights advocacy groups say the national school nutrition programme remains a great concern as over nine million children are reliant on it.

As the Basic Education Department prepares for the phased reopening of schools next month, several groups have reiterated the importance of bringing back school feeding schemes to reduce widespread hunger in the country. 

Equal Education says they have engaged the government on the school feeding scheme and are expecting Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to outline plans on this matter moving forward. This, coupled with answers on the state of readiness of rural and township schools and how schools without adequate water and sanitation will curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

Motshekga on Tuesday announced that grades 12 and 7 learners would resume schooling on June 1, in a bid to salvage the 2020 academic year, adding that the school feeding programme will resume in the same phased way.

Equal Education, however, says many children who rely on school feeding schemes have been left stranded and it remains concerned over the millions of learners who will still be at home without food.

Potential issues regarding extra safety precautions that will need to be taken to ensure that hygienic standards are met for food preparation have also been raised.

OFM News