A recent court case forced the Department of Basic Education to resume the National School Nutrition Programme for nine million learners around the country.
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Removing a pre-existing right like cancelling the school nutrition programme is a retrogressive measure, and should only be done under very specific circumstances.
South African learners receiving two meals, despite being from arguably poorer backgrounds, had statistically significantly lower stunting levels than children receiving only one meal.
All students deserve a healthy lunch when they go to school.
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Students with unpaid meal debts have been experiencing some shaming policies at school. New rules are aimed at protecting these children, but the real solution may lie in free meals for all.
School nutrition programmes help reduce the risk of children developing obesity.
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