Mityana Headteachers Call for Government Lunch Programme for UPE Pupils

Headteachers of government-aided primary schools in Mityana District have called upon the government to institute a national school feeding programme for Universal Primary Education (UPE) learners. The educators report that many children frequently attend classes on empty stomachs because their parents struggle to afford daily meal contributions.

Administrators emphasize that chronic hunger severely impacts pupils’ concentration, active classroom participation, and overall academic performance, disproportionately affecting children from vulnerable economic backgrounds. While UPE has successfully widened educational access, the burden of providing meals remains heavily on guardians.

Aidah Nagadya, headteacher of Mityana Public School, stressed that government assistance must extend beyond basic tuition. She noted that a formal feeding arrangement would guarantee that every child stays comfortable and nourished throughout the school day.

Echoing these sentiments, teacher Patrick Kiiza highlighted that the lack of reliable food provisions creates major hurdles for schools serving low-income communities. Educators argue that proper nutrition is a fundamental necessity that must accompany accessible education to build a truly effective learning environment.

This appeal coincides with the smooth commencement of Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) across Mityana District. Officials confirmed a total candidature of 8,711 pupils for this year’s exams, with 5,267 coming from UPE institutions and 3,444 from non-UPE schools. Local administrators maintain that resolving student welfare and nutrition issues is vital to uplifting educational outcomes.

For more details on this story, read the original report on Nile Post.