National School Feeding Strategy: WFP targets one million pupils by 2030.

This was during the validation of the National School Feeding Strategy 2025-2030 and the Sustainable Finance Strategy for School Feeding in Cameroon.

The event was presided over by the Minister of Basic Education, Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa. The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondoa, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of UN agencies, Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, and other administrative authorities, attended the event. 

In his address, the WFP Representative and Country Director revealed that the validation of the National School Feeding Strategy represents an important institutional milestone and a national commitment to the future of Cameroonian children.

Gianluca stated that school feeding remains one of the most powerful and effective tools for the breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty.

According to Gianluca, school feeding connects the classroom to the farm, transforms education into empowerment and makes every meal an opportunity for growth.

He disclosed that during the 2024/2025 school year, the WFP reached over 100,000 children across more than 150 schools in the Adamawa, Centre, East, Far North, North West and South West Regions.

He said that these children received daily hot meals prepared from food grown by over 80 cooperatives nationwide. These cooperatives, which he said are mostly led by women; produce milk, maize, rice, cassava, vegetables, beans, fish, and eggs that make up nutritious menus served in schools.

Following the validation of the National School Feeding Strategy 2025-2030, he said WFP is targeting one million students.

Minister Etoundi Ngoa re-echoed the importance of the National School Feeding Strategy. He said the strategy reinforces the sustainability of the initiative and shall help the government to work better and faster.

The basic education boss disclosed that school children will be better fed to learn and contribute to the development of the country. It will also boost health, growth and development.

He said the pupils will be guaranteed a decent meal a day especially in rural communities. The member of government said it is a strategic tool to achieve education and socio-economic goals of the nation.

WFP lauds progress, but funding remains crucial

The WFP Country Director revealed that where school feeding programmes are implemented, enrolment rates have increased, dropout rates decreased and the classrooms have become spaces of equal opportunity, particularly for girls.

He also added that in all schools where WFP and the Ministry of Basic Education operate, attendance and retention rates have consistently remained above ninety-five percent since 2022.

Gianluca, however, expressed fear that despite these achievements, the School Feeding Programme faces serious funding constraints that threatens to reverse the progress made.

According to him, consequences would extend far beyond hunger, impacting education, health, and the country’s long-term economic growth.

“School feeding has an impact across multiple sectors. It not only enhances educational outcomes, it supports health and nutrition, empowers women and stimulates local agriculture and builds community resilience,” he said.

He added that without sufficient financing, the made progress is at risk. “More than fifty-two thousand children across Cameroon could lose access to daily school meals in the coming months where WFP currently implements school meals,” he said. 

Hails collaboration with ministries, partners

The WFP lauded the collaboration with ministries and partners over the past few years. Gianluca acknowledged the inputs of the Prime Minister’s Office, which he said promoted school feeding as a central pillar to national development.

He said the Ministry of Basic Education steered the technical development of the National School Feeding Strategy, and sustainable Finance Strategy for school feeding, ensuring they align with the National Development Strategy and Education Sector Strategy.

Gianluca said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was instrumental in the integration of local agriculture through homegrown school feeding models.

He cited efforts from the Ministry of Public Health, that strengthened nutrition standards and food safety measures and promoted the health and wellbeing of school children.

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, he detailed, advanced gender inclusion and women’s empowerment in food production and meal preparation while the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries, contributed to diversifying school meals through livestock and fisheries.

He said the ministry of environment on its part ensured environmental sustainability and climate resilience, supporting Cameroon’s green development goals

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3603 of Thursday October 23, 2025