Africa-Press – Tanzania. PARENTS in Kagera Region and nationwide are urged to collaborate with teachers to tackle rising truancy and school dropouts.
Bukoba District Commissioner Erasto Sima emphasised that school feeding programmes play a crucial role in tackling malnutrition and improving pupils’ concentration and academic performance.
He said lack of food in schools often leaves pupils studying on empty stomachs, which negatively affects their ability to learn and leads to poor results.
“Concerted efforts from all stakeholders are needed to control truancy and school dropouts among pupils,” he said. “Parents across the country should contribute maize and sugar to ensure pupils receive meals while at school.”
Mr Sima made the remarks recently during a stakeholders’ meeting that brought together teachers, headmasters and education officers.
He said parents have a vital role to play in improving academic outcomes, adding that their reluctance to contribute to school meal programmes was among the major factors behind poor performance and school dropouts.
“When parents fail to participate, a vacuum is created that results in poor academic performance,” he said, adding “Parental involvement is essential for monitoring children’s education and ensuring that they remain in school.”
He also cited other contributing factors, including the negative attitude of some parents who do not follow up on their children’s academic progress or attend school meetings. Additionally, he said, many students travel long distances to school due to lack of hostels, which discourages regular attendance.
To promote better health and nutrition, Mr Sima encouraged head teachers to establish health feeding clubs in their respective schools.
He commended wards that have excelled in implementing school feeding programmes, including Katerero, Katoma, Kyamulaire, Ibwera and Kishanje.
Meanwhile, local nutrition committees in Kagera Region have been urged to intensify breastfeeding education to support government efforts in combating child malnutrition, which affects both physical and mental development.
Mr Sima noted that Kagera is among 10 regions with a high rate of child stunting, currently standing at 34.3 per cent. Citing recent data, he said that out of 26,786 children under five years tested, 30 were found to be stunted while 63 were underweight.
Under a three-year programme (2025–2028), the region aims to reduce stunting to 25 per cent. He called for the use of existing community platforms to strengthen outreach initiatives.
“Breastfeeding is not only a health issue but a national priority,” he stressed.
He added that mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed their children for at least two years, warning that improper breastfeeding can lead to malnutrition, weakening the nation’s future workforce.
Health experts affirm that proper breastfeeding strengthens a child’s immunity, prevents diarrhoea, malnutrition and respiratory diseases, while enhancing the mother–child bond.
Mr Sima added that other strategies include the use of fortified foods such as maize, beans and rice, and encouraging households to establish vegetable gardens and engage in small-scale livestock keeping.
According to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, Kagera Region has a population of about 2.9 million, with children under five accounting for approximately 40 per cent.
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