A free school meal program “School Khana Program” has been launched in government schools located in underprivileged areas of Sindh. Sindh Minister Education and Mines & Minerals Development Syed Sardar Ali Shah inaugurated the program in collaboration with the “Allah Wale Trust” and stated that this initiative will help improve children’s learning abilities and bring out-of-school children back to classrooms. The program began at Government Boys Primary School in Murad Memon Goth, District Malir, Karachi. Present at the launch were Allah Wale Trust Chairperson Shahid Lone, Additional Secretary Dr. Fauzia Khan, Karachi Schools Director Mirza Arshad Baig, and other officials.
On this occasion, Minister Sardar Ali Shah emphasised that nutritional deficiencies hinder children’s ability to learn. He pointed out that children in underprivileged areas are severely malnourished, and balanced nutrition plays a crucial role in their physical development. “We are embarking on a journey that will fulfill children’s nutritional needs and strengthen their ability to fight illnesses,” he said. The Minister added that globally, school meal programs are seen as effective tools to improve learning outcomes. He highlighted that Pakistan ranks among the 10 poorest countries in the world, with 42% of its population living below the poverty line. In such conditions, many parents cannot provide their children with balanced meals, adversely affecting their growth. “Nutritious meals enhance children’s development, mental growth, and immunity,” he said.
Sardar Ali Shah further noted that when children receive meals at school, their attendance improves and they become more interested in learning. He called the initiative a support system for poor families, as one daily meal at school can also help reduce household expenses. In the first phase, the program aims to provide food to nearly 100,000 children in need from schools in underprivileged areas. He praised institutions like Allah Wale Trust for their local ownership and commitment to meaningful work, adding, “We need such ownership in all initiatives.”
Speaking about the program’s importance, Allah Wale Trust Chairperson Shahid Lone said that starting today, 700 children at Government Boys Primary School in Murad Memon Goth will receive one free meal daily, with plans to gradually expand the program to other schools. Centralised kitchens will be set up to prepare and deliver warm food while maintaining proper temperatures. Facilities for handwashing before and after meals will also be provided to students. Additional Secretary Dr. Fauzia Khan stated that the program will be evaluated on various parameters. To measure its impact, the Body Mass Index (BMI) of students will be recorded before launching the program in schools and again after four months. This will help monitor children’s growth, health, and other related issues.
At the event, Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah personally distributed food among the students and affectionately fed some of the schoolgirls himself, showing kindness and care.