Punjab School Meal Programme Helps Reduce Malnutrition

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LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s ‘School meal program’ has helped reduce malnutrition among students. In its first phase, the program saved Rs1.780 billion while impacting the health and well-being of thousands of children.

The program has also witnessed remarkable success in boosting school enrolment. Within months of its initiation, over 55,000 new students enrolled in schools, demonstrating the program’s positive effect on student attendance and engagement. In addition, the initiative provided 40 million milk packs to schools in Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan, benefiting more than 35 million students in these districts.

Student attendance has risen significantly since the program’s inception, with the number of students increasing from 361,000 to 416,000. The chief minister has directed that the ‘School meal program’ be extended to more remote districts in south Punjab.

Published in News Daily on 14-March-2025.

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