By Our Reporter
Special-seat councillors in Mbeya City have donated food to Kambarage and Ikuti primary schools, seeking to support parents’ efforts to provide meals for pupils and encourage greater participation in school feeding programmes.
The initiative, announced during a food handover at Kambarage Primary School on October 20, 2026, comes as the councillors seek to encourage parents to contribute towards feeding children at school, while ensuring that pupils from families unable to contribute are not left out.
Special-seat councillor Fatuma Bora said the donation was intended to complement parents’ contributions and motivate pupils to concentrate on their education.
She urged parents who contribute food to support those who cannot, warning against using meals as punishment for children whose families had not contributed.
“The parent who has contributed food should reach out to another parent and encourage them to do the same. Do not deny another child food as punishment,” Ms Bora said.
She also cautioned pupils against accepting gifts from people they did not know, urging them to remain alert to potential risks.
Ms Bora said the councillors had mobilised support from stakeholders to help sustain school feeding efforts, acknowledging the role parents play in providing food for pupils.
Another special-seat councillor, Mariam Kikasi, called on pupils to speak out against abuse, saying silence could put their safety and future at risk.
“Our children should not be deceived into remaining silent about abuse. Speak up so that you do not jeopardise your future,” she said.
Ms Kikasi urged pupils to report incidents to teachers, neighbours or other trusted adults, particularly when their parents were unavailable. She emphasised that both boys and girls should report abuse rather than suffer in silence.
Ruanda Ward Education Officer Jane Mwakwenda said the councillors’ contribution could encourage parents who had not been actively participating in school feeding programmes to reconsider their position.
She urged pupils to remind their parents about the importance of contributing food, saying proper nutrition helps children remain focused in class.
“When you return home, remind your parents to contribute food because it gives children the energy they need to study hard,” Ms Mwakwenda said.
The donation highlights the role of cooperation between local leaders, parents and other stakeholders in supporting school feeding programmes. However, sustaining such initiatives also depends on continued parental participation and ensuring that children are not excluded from meals because of their families’ financial circumstances.