APNU calls for review of school feeding programmes

Jan 04, 2013 News

– MP claims students “prostituting themselves” for food

By Abena Rockcliffe

While government has indicated that it has invested a whopping $1.2B in school feeding programmes, an opposition parliamentarian yesterday stated in the National Assembly that there have been instances where children, both male and female, prostituted themselves in exchange for food.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman, addressed the National Assembly on what he described as “the levels of starvation among primary and secondary school aged children” and asked the government whether or not the there are plans to “as a matter of urgency” arrest the issue and lend a hand to those affected.

APNU MP Desmond Trotman

Trotman based his question upon the “fact” that “starvation is high among a large number of school children residing on the coast”. This he said can affect their school performance. The MP cited cases in Georgetown where children, both male and female, were found to have been sexually molested in exchange for food.
In the absence of Minister of Education, Priya Manikchand, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony responded that the government is not aware that there are cases of children being molested in exchange for food.
Anthony explained that the Education Ministry has long begun addressing issues of children’s nutrition through its three school feeding programmes. He outlined the programmes and their costs, stating that all have accumulated to $1.2 billion. He informed that the countrywide programme, namely the “juice and biscuit” programme cost the government $600M, while a community-based “hot meal” programme cost $550M and the “juice, peanut butter and cassava” programme cost $50M.
Dr. Anthony told the National Assembly that the juice and biscuit programme already addresses the coastal areas.
Trotman then asked that the Ministry of Education carry out a “pilot study” on how starvation among school-aged children affects those living in Georgetown and from that basis, the possible situation in other locations across Guyana, more specifically the coastal areas.
In response, Dr. Anthony noted that the government, in implementing the current school feeding programmes, had already carried out the relevant studies. However, he said that the MP’s concerns had been duly noted and he would see that the “relevant” individuals follow through in looking at the matter.
Also, the Minister asked Trotman to present a report on his gathered information so that Ministry personnel could have “something to work with” in relation to requisite investigations.
As it was resolved, acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Deborah Baker asked that both parties follow through in addressing the issue and presenting the requested information.