November 15, 2023 marks a major milestone in the education history of Osun state under the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration. It was an historic day as the Osun Governor flagged off the commencement of the Osun state School Feeding Programme popularly known as O’Meals for pupils in the public primary schools in the state. This is a major achievement in Governor Adeleke’s first year in office, an occasion that adds to the numerous giant strides that has heralded his administration.
The Programme is aimed at providing at least one daily nutritious meal for pupils in the public primary 1-3 classes in the state. The Osun people should be delighted with this programme as it will incentivize parents to send their children to school, they would no longer need to worry about their daily sustenance. More so, well-fed children are more likely to attend school regularly, enabling them to benefit fully from the educational opportunities available.
According to experts, it has been projected that the overall impact of the school feeding programme on the beneficiaries would be massive. If successfully implemented, it will no doubt improve the children’s health, attendance, concentration, and overall academic performance.
It is important to note that since assumption of office, the leadership of the state has embarked on a mission to completely overhaul and revamp all sectors, most especially the education sector. Barely a year in office, there are already tons of testimonies as a result of massive infrastructural development in major parts of the state, ditto for welfare of workers and commitment to improve the educational status of the state.
The Governor, while receiving the report of the recently held three-day education summit, vowed to end hawking by under-aged children in the State among other notable action-packed decisions that will further strengthen the education sector in the state.
Street hawking has humongous implications for children’s physical and emotional well-being, particularly the girl-child. It exposes them to sexual abuse, physical exhaustion, accidents, drug and substance abuse and prostitution.
Most times, but sadly, poor parents are forced to push young children out on the street for the sake of fetching the family income. Such parents are low skilled workers with little or low earnings that may not be sufficient for the families’ upkeep, but with this school feeding programme, popularly called O’meal, it will ease the pressure on parents by providing a meal per day for their children.
At the Flag off ceremony at Ataoja school of science, Osogbo, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbaye, represented the state governor. In his speech, Governor Adeleke expressed joy and satisfaction in the school feeding programme, affirming that it will no doubt improve the health status of the young teeming learners.
His words, “Osun Home Grown School Feeding is a visionary project which aimed at providing nutritious meal to our young teaming learners, ensuring that they have the energy for the day to day activities which will improve their congnitive, effective and psychomotor domains as well as improving their health status, and increase enrolment, retention and completion rates in the various public schools in the state”, the governor noted.
Continuing, he said, “I want to place it on record that through the School Feeding Programme we have not only succeeded in banishing hunger but also promoting local agricultural products as well as empowering small holder farmers. We are not only supporting our economy but also fostering communality and sustainability. This programme is a win- win for all stakeholders involved.”
He thereby charged the vendors who came in their hundreds to remain committed to the programme by discharging their duties conscientiously. The Governor also promised to pay the transport fare of the vendors which is #10,000 monthly in addition to the feeding cost. This news was welcomed by a rousing applause from the audience as the people excitedly chanted “Imole”, Imole, Imole repeatedly.
The programme has engaged over 2,470 women in total to serve as food vendors in the various public schools in the state while the feeding exercise will commence on Monday 20th, November, 2023.
It is worthy of note that School feeding programmes have gained significant attention worldwide as a means to address malnutrition and enhance educational outcomes. Not only that, it has also been proven to have a positive impact on school attendance and enrollment rates.
In many rural areas in most parts in Nigeria, poverty and hunger often force children to drop out of school to support their families. But the provisions of free meals to the students on daily basis will consequently impact the enrollment rates and the attendance of students will improve significantly, ensuring they have a better chance to complete their education. This is what the people of Osun should expect when the programme gets underway.
Moreso, the school feeding programme will enhance the concentration and congnitive development of the young teaming learners in the state.
Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in cognitive development and academic performance. Hungry children often find it difficult to concentrate in class, affecting their ability to learn and retain information. The School feeding programme will help to alleviate hunger, ensuring students have the energy and focus required for effective learning.
To reduce hunger-related distractions, is to improve students’ attention spans and overall cognitive abilities. As a result, students are more engaged in the learning process, leading to enhanced academic performance and increased chances of pursuing higher education.
The impact of the programme in the state would also extend beyond the nutritional and educational aspects. It has significant economic and social benefits. Since sourcing of food would be locally based, it will no doubt contribute to the growth of local agricultural sectors, creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic development. Additionally, this programme is billed to foster a sense of community by involving parents, local farmers, and volunteers, thereby promoting social cohesion and collaboration.
The Governor should be commended for this initiative. Other state Governors should take a leaf. But ensuring the continuation, effective implementation and expansion of this programme is vital to secure a brighter future for the young teeming Osun children.
Kehinde Adeoye is the Media Assistant to the Secretary to the Osun State Government. He writes from Osogbo, Osun State
