School’s soy milk programme to curb truancy, boost academic performance

MOROGORO: A SCHOOL in Morogoro Region has launched a new soy milk nutrition programme aimed at improving child nutrition, reducing truancy and enhancing academic performance.

The three-year soy milk nutrition programme for pupils at Juhudi Primary School in Mtego wa Simba Village, Mikese Division, Morogoro District is supported by the China Agricultural University (CAU), in collaboration with the Morogoro Regional authorities.

Speaking at the launch, Senior Lecturer at CAU and Honorary Dean of the College of International Development and Global Agriculture, Professor Li Xiaoyun said the project is part of a broader effort to uplift rural livelihoods through the “Small Beans, Big Nutrition” initiative, which promotes local production of maize, soybeans and soy milk.

Under the programme, all pupils at Juhudi Primary School will receive free soy milk and snacks during school hours for three years, starting this academic year.

Professor Li said the initiative would also strengthen school attendance and learning outcomes by addressing hunger-related barriers to education.

As part of its contribution, the university has renovated the village government office, upgraded a soy milk distribution centre owned by a local farmer and provided soybean seeds to farmers to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials.

“We are grateful to the government for their strong support in ensuring this programme succeeds in improving child nutrition,” said Prof Li.

The launch event was officiated by Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima, who commended the project for its potential to significantly address nutrition-related challenges among school children.

RC Malima said the soy milk initiative would help reduce dropout rates and improve students’ academic performance by ensuring they have access to nutritious food during school hours.

ALSO READ: Council distributes milk to 15 primary schools to boost child nutrition

“Lack of proper nutrition among schoolchildren is a major cause of poor concentration and low academic achievement. A child may go the entire day without eating, which negatively impacts their health, learning ability and overall performance,” he said.

He directed the Morogoro District Council to develop Mtego wa Simba Village into a centre of soybean production, to ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials for soy milk and related nutritional products.

Mr Malima donated 1m/- to support interim soy milk distribution ahead of the full rollout of the three-year programme. Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary Dr Rozalia Rwegasira said the China-Tanzania collaboration began in 2011 in Peapea and Kitete villages in Kilosa District and expanded to Mtego wa Simba in 2014.

She said through training, farmers in these areas had produced 12 tonnes of soybeans and 20 tonnes of maize.

However, due to market challenges, they were trained to process soy into milk and began campaigns in four villages to promote soy milk consumption in primary schools.

Currently, the programme is being implemented in four villages: Mtego wa Simba (Morogoro District), Makuyu (Mvomero District) and Peapea and Kitete (Kilosa District).

According to Head Teacher at Juhudi Primary School, Swaum Amri, the school has 350 pupils, all of whom are now benefiting from the soy milk programme.