The Ministry of Education started its school feeding programme on Tuesday, as it continues to take steps it believes will boost school attendance.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that a distribution team visited several schools, including West Ruimveldt Primary and the Alexander Village and Agricola nursery schools. The snack, a serving of crackers and fruit juice was distributed to students at nursery level and grades one and two at the primary-level.

The government will be spending $800M this year on a nationwide school feeding programme. A similar programme is ongoing in the hinterland communities.

In 2009, $710M had been allocated to expand the school programme that was to be held in 100 primary schools in regions one, seven, eight and nine. The feeding programme is expected to bring about a marked difference in the attendance rate at schools, especially in depressed communities. It was initially introduced as part of a poverty eradication project aimed at assisting families who were unable to provide sufficient meals for their children.

GINA also said government has also undertaken several other interventions to boost school attendance, including the provision of school uniforms and text books.