Kibaha school feeding reaches 36,781 pupils

KIBAHA: COAST Region has stepped up efforts to tackle malnutrition, with Bagamoyo and Kibaha Districts strengthening nutrition education and school feeding programmes to improve children’s health.

The renewed push comes as 36,781 pupils in Kibaha District received at least one meal at school between April and June this year, up from the previous quarter and representing 97.22 per cent of the district’s 37,833 learners.

Speaking during a fourthquarter multisectoral nutrition committee meeting, Bagamoyo Town Council Executive Director, Mr Shauri Selenda directed agriculture, livestock and fisheries officers to expand nutrition education across all wards.

He said fathers should be actively involved in the campaign to help families understand the importance of balanced diets for children’s growth.

“There is need to conduct proper research on livestock and establish dairy cattle farming programmes in schools that have large tracts of land,” he said.

Mr Selenda said schoolbased dairy farming would equip students with practical livestock skills while helping schools generate income to support feeding programmes.

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He also directed the Community Development Department to use meetings with women’s groups, youth groups and people with special needs to deliver nutrition education, while Primary Education Officers and Nutrition Officers were instructed to inspect day-care centres to ensure children receive nutritious meals.

Kibaha District Commissioner, Mr Simon Nickson urged Ward Executive Officers to mobilise parents, communities and development partners to contribute food for schools and sustain feeding programmes.

“A well-fed child is healthier and performs better in class,” he said.

Kibaha District Nutrition Officer, Ms Coletha Chipile said food shortages remain more common in primary schools than secondary schools and called for greater use of school farms alongside community food contributions.

She also raised concern over low birth weight, saying poor maternal nutrition and delayed attendance at antenatal clinics remain contributing factors.

According to district figures, 290 of the 6,530 children born during the 2025/2026 financial year weighed below 2.5 kilogrammes, equivalent to 4.4 per cent.

Both districts said stronger nutrition education and closer collaboration among government departments, communities and development partners remain essential to improving child nutrition and supporting national nutrition goals.

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