There is some link between a lack of food and truancy at school. Most schoolchildren in the Mtwara region only receive one meal a day which is provided in the afternoon, when the return home from school. Many students have to walk long distances to school, a journey that is made more difficult by the fact that they do not eat before leaving and will not eat until they return home. Research into the link between malnutrition and education in developing countries has illustrated that a lack of food correlates with truancy and increases the likelihood that those who attend school will repeat a year. While this research may not always be directly applicable to Tanzania, a high percentage of Tanzanian children go hungry, increasing the likelihood that this research is relevant. While it is important to provide food at school, the food provided must be high in nutrition, so that children can get more out of their schooling and education.
“Targeted nutrition interventions can confer important educational benefits.” – Cornell Report, 2002.
The Tanzanian government plans to introduce school feeding programmes across the country. Last year, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa gave assurances that the government would assist with providing every schoolchild with a daily meal to improve attendance,concentration and participation. ’’We are determined to work on the matter. I assure you that the plan will be implemented in the spirit of new zeal, vigour and speed’’ he said. Furthermore, the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Tanzanian representative, Reginald Mengi, recently re-iterated how important education and nutrition for children are, for the future of Tanzania.
” Preschool programs, school snack and breakfast programs appear to be important tools for overcoming problems associated with short-term hunger.” – Cornell Report, 2002.
Children that have higher levels of nutrition are far more likely to achieve higher cognitive test scores and display an all round better school performance, according to a 2002 report into child malnutrition by the Cornell Institute. In other words, nutrition increases a child’s capacity to learn and it is important that children receive highly nutritious food from the youngest possible age. This means that we must provide food for all at each school we are involved with, from pre-primary students to Standard 7. This should reduce the number of children who repeat a year, increase attendance and performance.