For many underprivileged students who may be living on or under the poverty line, social welfare assistance programs can be a huge boon in ensuring that they are well fed. This is especially crucial in young children who require all the essential nutrients to continue developing into their prepubescent years.
M’sian woman claims students being fed only ‘rice with gravy’ under govt food plan
As a part of this effort to ensure that students in the public school system remain well-fed, the Ministry of Education has since committed to a number of different food aid programs, of which includes the Food Supplementary Program (RMT) that was started in 1976. Aimed at young students hailing from impoverished family backgrounds, the program was created to grant extra nourishment to these vulnerable groups during school hours.
According to the Ministry of Education, the current RMT plan allocates RM2.50 per student per day, across 190 days for those living in West Malaysia, and RM3.00 per student per day, across 190 days for those living in East Malaysia.
However, the food plan program has recently been scruntinised by some parents after a Facebook post had recently gone viral, alleging that the meals provided under the RMT program were in fact, devoid of many key food groups. The post, which includes a photo showing a pack of plain white rice with what appears to be watered-down curry gravy drizzled on top, was accompanied by a caption that claims that the food was distributed through the government food program.
“My friend’s grandchild brought this home to his mother from the RMT program.
How sadistic. What are they feeding our children in school? Is the allocation for RMT so little that canteen operators are left with no choice but serve food like this to children?
Before this, some children have mentioned before that the food provided under the RMT was not tasty, but we told them to be thankful as they still got to eat. But this, who is this food meant for? Chickens?
I don’t know who is involved in this. But I feel that this matter has to be investigated as to why food like this is being served to those who are receiving the RMT food aid. Nevermind the fact that those who are on the RMT receipients list have to come to school every day without any rotation. Is this the kind of food that we claim can help ‘spur our education forwards’?”
Ministry of Education vows to investigate the matter
The post has since caught the attention of current Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, who has said that the Ministry takes the claims seriously and vows to investigate the matter.
“I take the allegations very seriously and have instructed further investigations to be carried out, including identifying which school was involved.
The Ministry of Education does not compromise in matters that affect the welfare of our students.” he said.
As of right now, no further details have been released concerning the matter.
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Also read: M’sian teacher heartbroken after learning impoverished student comes to school daily for free meals
