The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a government initiative that provides one nutritious meal per day to all learners in Quintile 1–3 primary, secondary, and special public schools. Its primary goal is to support learning by ensuring students are fed adequately during school hours.
1. Why it matters
- Helps learners arrive at school alert, punctual, and ready to learn, improving concentration and attendance.
- Encourages healthy eating habits through nutrition education.
- Promotes food security through school vegetable gardens managed with parents, learners, and communities.
2. Who benefits and how many?
- Targets learners in the 60% poorest schools (Quintiles 1–3).
- In 2023/24, the programme provided meals to over 9 million learners across nearly 20,000 schools.
3. How meals are delivered
- Schools receive funding through a conditional grant from National Treasury.
- Meals are prepared and served by Volunteer Food Handlers (VFHs)—usually one for every 200 learners—under supervision and in line with health and safety standards.
- Menus are based on Food-Based Dietary Guidelines, include protein, veggies/fruit, and starch, and are served by 10:00 am to maximise learning benefits.
4. Supporting programme roles
- Principals act as accounting officers and oversee the programme at school level.
- School nutrition committees, including educators, learners, food handlers, and governing body members, manage day-to-day oversight.
- The DBE and provincial departments develop frameworks, monitor compliance, and track performance.
5. Challenges & improvements
- An Auditor-General audit (2023/24) flagged the need for stronger school-level governance and better committee management.
- A 2016 national evaluation recommended:
- Increasing serving of meals by 9:00 am,
- Improving meal composition (especially veggies),
- Expanding snack provision,
- Strengthening school-level infrastructure and monitoring.
Where to find more info and support
- DBE – NSNP programme page: includes guidelines, policy, veggies guides…
- DBE Call Centre (for queries): 0800 202 933 | callcentre@dbe.gov.za
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