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Selangor will begin providing free breakfast to 120,000 students from lower-income families starting this August under a new state government initiative
According to Media Selangor, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said eligible students from 965 schools have been identified using data from the Selangor Education Department to ensure the assistance reaches those who need it most.
The programme will benefit primary and secondary school students, religious schools under the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), as well as educational institutions registered with the state education department.
"The state government is taking some time before the programme begins in August to ensure food quality and safety meet the standards set by the Health Ministry," he said during a media conference after officiating Phase 1 of the Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package yesterday, 14 July.
Amirudin added that the initiative will not include about 55,000 students in Selangor who are already receiving assistance under the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT)
He added that the free breakfast programme will be implemented in a similar way to the RMT scheme, with meals expected to be served two to three times a week.
"This programme focuses on vulnerable groups, including students from lower-income families, those who are unable to have breakfast before school, as well as children whose parents work shifts and face time constraints," he said.
According to Kosmo!, the initiative will initially run for three months and would be extended if it proves beneficial to the community.
Amirudin said countries such as Finland, the UK, and India have demonstrated the positive impact of free breakfast programmes on students
"Developed countries like Finland and the UK have proven that free breakfast is not a waste but an investment. India also introduced it in 2022 and has seen an increase in attendance and a significant decrease in student dropouts," he was quoted as saying.
He added that Selangor hopes to achieve similar outcomes by making schools not only conducive learning environments but also places that support children's overall wellbeing.
The free breakfast programme is part of the RM140 million Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package, which the state government introduced in April to help ease the impact of rising living costs, global economic uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions.
