Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu has urged the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to urgently mobilize resources to support school feeding programs amid reports of learners fainting due to hunger.
Cllr Ndlovu made these remarks during a full council meeting yesterday.
His comments come amidst the country’s struggle with the effects of an El Niño-induced drought that significantly impacted the 2024 cropping season.
“Last month, while touring schools in my ward, I encountered several learners fainting from hunger,” he said. “Given the El Niño drought and rising urban poverty, I fear this will become a more frequent occurrence throughout the year.”
He said council must prioritise resources for school feeding programs, particularly in peri-urban and high-density suburbs.
“Perhaps the council committee should consider mobilising more resources to improve our school feeding schemes,” said Cllr. Ndlovu. “This is especially crucial in peri-urban and high-density schools, where urban poverty is most acute. Students are collapsing in class due to hunger.”
He highlighted the negative impact of hunger on student attendance and focus. “This situation is leading to increased absenteeism and hinders students’ ability to concentrate in class. Therefore, I implore the committee to prioritise allocating more resources to ensure that every learner in our council-owned schools receives at least one hot meal a day.”
