PEP president Sean Tembo has thrown his weight behind government’s school feeding program saying it is a good initiative that has transformed the education sector, urging improvements in the variety of meals served to learners.
The opposition leader was responding to a question from a member of the public Michael Chama, during a question-and-answer session on his Facebook page where he was asked about his views on the programme.
“It’s a good idea. It just needs to be improved by widening the diet. Children cannot be eating beans every day, sometimes without even nshima,” Tembo said.
Government’s school feeding programme which was first rolled out in 2022, has in recent years become a key driver of educational progress, especially after the reintroduction of free education, which saw over two million children return to school.
The initiative has since expanded to 106 districts, reaching about 4.6 million learners and is designed to boost school attendance, retention and academic performance while combating child hunger and malnutrition.
Education experts have credited the programme for helping improve learner outcomes.
The National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) recently revealed that Zambia’s historic 70 percent Grade 12 pass rate in 2025 was partly driven by the feeding programme, as learners are now able to concentrate better in class.
NUPPEZ president Victor Muyumba said learners who attend school on a full stomach are more focused and able to grasp lessons, unlike before when hunger disrupted their concentration.
“Only a mind that concentrates can assimilate. This pass rate percentage doesn’t come as an accident. It is one of the massive investments that government has done in the education sector,” Muyumba said.
Government, through the Ministry of Education led by Douglas Syakalima, further expand the programme from 77 to 106 districts, with a target of feeding up to five million learners countrywide.
The programme has also been credited with reducing absenteeism, as many learners now attend classes consistently knowing they will receive a meal at school.
By George Musonda
Kalemba March 25, 2026
