Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
06 May 2025 | 13:27 CAT

Children can barely wait to sit down before they start eating at the Walmer Angels soup kitchen in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. Source/Daily Maverick (Photo: Deon Ferreira)

Thousands of children across Eastern Cape schools are going hungry after schools reportedly ran out of surplus funds to purchase food, sparking widespread concern about the sustainability of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).

According to governing bodies and educational unions, including FEDSAS and NAPTOSA, the programme plays a vital role in encouraging school attendance and curbing dropout rates. However, stakeholders have condemned the current failures as a result of “poor planning and lack of accountability”.

Jaco Deacon, CEO of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS), told Radio Islam International that although the NSNP is largely government-funded, “not all schools receive funding from the state. Some rely on their own resources or private partners to support their nutrition programmes.” Even in affluent schools, there are learners who depend on these meals for their daily sustenance.

Deacon highlighted the dire impact in the Eastern Cape, estimating that “close to 90% of learners depend on that meal a day.” He added, “This is not about a lack of funding. The money is budgeted and ring-fenced by Treasury and the Department of Basic Education, which means it cannot legally be used for anything else.”

Despite funds being allocated, schools have not received the necessary payments, leading to a breakdown in food provision. “It’s the fault of officials and managers in the provincial department,” said Deacon. “It’s time for heads to roll. Children cannot keep paying the price for poor performance.”

The NSNP normally sees money transferred directly into school accounts, with governing bodies then managing the procurement and food preparation. But with funds missing or delayed, learners are suffering.

Deacon warned of broader consequences: “A hungry child cannot learn. Even if they’re physically in class, mentally, they’re absent.”

He called for national intervention, urging the Department of Basic Education to place the Eastern Cape education system under administration. “We’re dealing with human rights violations. This isn’t just an education issue — it’s a societal failure.”

As hunger grips classrooms and robs children of dignity, the country stands at a crossroads—will leaders act, or will mismanagement continue to starve the future of a generation?

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Jaco Deacon here.