Caption: Prime Minister Bainimarama with the Nakelo students. Photo: SUPPLIED.
More than 20,000 Year 1 students will by the end of this week, receive government’s free breakfast programme following today’s launch at the Nakelo District School by Prime Minister Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama.
Commending government’s free breakfast programme which includes a 250ml of milk and a weetbix biscuit were parents of the seven schools that are located in the Nakelo district.
Nakelo District School parent, Lavenia Naiveli said that today’s event was an emotional one for her as a parent because milk and weetbix are considered luxury food items that most parents are not able to afford.
“For us that live in the rural areas, putting milk on the table is sometimes not possible and today to see my daughter receive her packet of milk and weetbix is a dream come true,” Mrs Naiveli said.
“I am thankful and appreciative to government for making this possible and for giving our young children a nutritious and healthy breakfast before they start their day.”
Similar comments were shared by Visama District School parent, Laitia Leiloma.
“I would like to thank government for this assistance as most of us have difficulties in buying milk for our children,” Mr Leiloma said.
The Prime Minister said that government is building healthy bodies in this first year of the children’s school life to help in the building of healthy minds.
“My Government promised through the FijiFirst manifesto that we would provide this milk from the start of the school year. It has taken a bit longer than we thought but we have been determined to get the program exactly right for the sake of every year one child – no matter where they live – and here it is,” PM Bainimarama said.
“As with our free education program for all students in primary and secondary schools, no longer is a child’s family circumstances the determining factor in whether he or she receives adequate nutrition in the first year of primary school or gets the best possible start in life.”
As of today, the Ministry of Education has distributed milk to all schools in the Nausori district, Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki and schools in the Southern Lau group in its first shipment.
DEPTFO