Free breakfast not just about food but also civic consciousness, says Maszlee

The government's move to provide free breakfast to all primary school children beginning January next year is not just about food, says Education Minister Maszlee Malik

He said it was also about nutrition, discipline, good eating habits and civic consciousness.

Maszlee said the idea was the brainchild of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad following his observation in Japan that school children there were provided free meals to ensure they have enough nutrition.

"However, it's not just about food but civic consciousness as well. Children do not just eat together. They are accompanied by their teachers, and they will learn table ethics such as returning the food trays after they finished eating.

"In some schools, they will clean up after eating," Maszlee said after launching the "Teacher Innovation Towards Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century - In the Industry 4.0 Revolution Era" event and IPG Book Fair at the Teachers Training Institute (Penang campus) this morning.

Maszlee was asked to reveal the menu of the free breakfast programme and whether it would consider the dietary needs of students.

Yesterday, when announcing the programme on his Facebook, Maszlee said his ministry cares about the diet of the students.

Maszlee was quoted in The Star as saying that his ministry always pushed forward various incentives to ensure the children have access to nutritious food.

The Education Ministry said the programme was earlier perceived as merely involving food and eating.

However, Maszlee added that the programme should be seen as having an educational element as well.

Asked if the latest programme was a replacement of the Supplementary Food Programme or school children who are from hardcore poor families, Maszlee said: "No".

"They will get to eat more," he briefly added, before leaving the press conference. - Mkini