Free Breakfast Programme may cost up to RM1.67b, says Maszlee
Putrajaya may spend between RM800 million up to RM1.67 billion annually for the Free Breakfast Programme to be implemented in all primary schools next year, said Education Minister Maszlee Malik.
"The estimated cost is between RM800 million and RM1.67 billion depending on the implementation method for 200 school days, the cost of raw material and supplying remote areas, including Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan," he told Dewan Rakyat during the question and answer session.
A total of 2.69 million pupils nationwide will benefit, he said...
- UPDATED 4.10M | Added additional details.
Putrajaya may spend between RM800 million up to RM1.67 billion annually for the Free Breakfast Programme to be implemented in all primary schools next year, said Education Minister Maszlee Malik.
"The estimated cost is between RM800 million and RM1.67 billion depending on the implementation method for 200 school days, the cost of raw material and supplying remote areas, including Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan," he told Dewan Rakyat during the question and answer session.
A total of 2.69 million pupils nationwide will benefit, he said.
He said there are two mechanisms for schools to implement the programme, where pupils will either be given cooked food together with fruits, or dairy products served with ready to eat food, including biscuits, bread and snacks.
The ministry planned to have the pupils take their breakfast inside the rooms together with the teachers, who are also entitled to the free breakfast, he said.
"This is a practical move in terms of space and the close relationship between the teachers and the pupils. The teachers will have the opportunity to teach the pupils about the nutrition value of the food, and table manners," he said.
This will be part of the civics education that is implemented by the ministry, he said.
The minister said the morning sessions and afternoon sessions pupils will enjoy their meal 8.30am and 4pm, respectively.
"The mealtimes will be set in stages and at various location, including venue and the room," he said.
Mazlee said the ministry was conducting a pilot at seven schools from September to November to ensure the success of the Free Breakfast Programme.
He said the ministry will come out with the standard operating procedure (SOP) and will learn from the lesson of the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) to prevent food poisoning.
Under RMT, the government provided RM2.50 worth of food daily to pupils in the peninsula while RM3.00 would be for those in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan for 190 days, which is the minimum number of school days.
Like RMT, the Free Breakfast Programme will be handled by the school canteen respectively.
