Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) has announced a major investment of over $1 billion to provide daily breakfast to approximately 69,000 students under the National School Learning and Intervention Plan (NSLIP).
The initiative aims to boost student nutrition, improve academic performance, and reduce absenteeism in schools most affected by post-pandemic learning disruptions.
NSLIP, developed in response to learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, focuses on curriculum recovery and student support. The expanded breakfast programme will now serve as a key pillar of this strategy, targeting students whose education is most at risk due to socioeconomic challenges.
Minister of Education, Senator the Honourable Dr Dana Morris Dixon, emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing one of the root causes of student absenteeism.
“We believe that providing breakfast will directly improve school attendance, particularly for students who stay home due to the lack of basic nutritional support. Our research shows that meeting students’ fundamental needs translates into better attendance and improved learning outcomes. We are working closely with teachers, families, and students to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to succeed,” the Minister explained.
The programme complements the existing National School Feeding Programme and the National Products Limited (NPL) snack initiative, which already provide meals to students in public schools.
Permanent Secretary Dr Kasan Troupe highlighted the broader impact of proper nutrition on academic achievement.
“We know that students who are properly nourished perform better. This injection of funds will complement the ongoing National School Feeding Programme and National Products Limited (NPL) snack programme, which provides nutritious meals to students across public schools. Every student in these NSLIP schools will now benefit from breakfast daily. While the overall cost runs into over a $1 billion, it is a worthwhile investment in the future of our children. We are also inviting our partners in manufacturing and food distribution to join this important national effort. The success of education will require partnership, and ensuring the nutritional needs of our students is fundamental,” Dr Troupe said.
The Ministry’s billion-dollar commitment signals a decisive step toward a more inclusive education system, ensuring that no child is left behind due to hunger.
