Govt to introduce schools feeding scheme

THE Minister of State responsible for Matabeleland North Province, Cain Mathema has said the Government will soon begin a schools feeding scheme in the province to address the problem of pupils dropping out of school due to hunger.

In an interview on Thursday, Minister Mathema said in the coming weeks the Government would be distributing maize to vulnerable villagers in the province.

He said part of the maize would be used to start a feeding programme for pupils in Matabeleland North.

"The Government will be distributing 2 000 tonnes of maize to in the province. We will also be starting a schools feeding scheme programme to stop pupils from dropping out of school because of hunger," said Mathema.

Minister Mathema called on people in his province to practice irrigation farming as the region was very dry.

He said communities should commercialise their farming so that they can sustain themselves.

"Each family must use even their five hectare farms for commercial purposes. I have spoken to Zinwa to provide piped water so that people can start irrigation programmes to enable them to provide for their families," he said.

Minister Mathema said if communities received piped water they would not have to wait for the rainy season.

His remarks came amid revelations that pupils in his province were reported to be dropping out of school because of drought.

Matabeleland North is not the only province which has recorded cases of pupils dropping out of school because of hunger.

The southern parts of the country have over the years been experiencing erratic rainfall which has culminated in drought, leaving millions starving.

In Matabeleland South about 3000 pupils have dropped out of school this year due to drought and hunger related issues. Cases of pupils dropping out of school because of hunger have also been reported in other parts of the country.