Selangor to roll out free breakfast for 120,000 students from August

SHAH ALAM - The implementation of the free breakfast programme for students in Selangor draws inspiration from several developed nations that have proven the initiative is not a waste but rather an investment in children's wellbeing.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said several countries have long implemented free breakfast provision in schools, showing positive effects on students' welfare and development.

He said Selangor will implement the programme starting this August, involving about 120,000 students in 965 schools including primary schools, secondary schools, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) religious schools as well as institutions registered with the Selangor State Education Department (JPN).

"Developed nations such as Finland and the United Kingdom have long proven that free breakfast is not a waste but an investment.

"India also introduced it in 2022 and saw a marked increase in attendance as well as a decline in student dropout rates," he said in a statement on Facebook on Tuesday.

Sinar reported on June 15 that the Selangor government would implement the Free Breakfast programme for 120,000 students in 965 schools across the state as an initiative under Phase 1 of the Selangor Resilience Reinforcement Package (PPDTS).

The programme was introduced to help ease the burden on students affected by the cost of living, particularly those who do not have time for breakfast before going to school.

Meanwhile, Amirudin said the programme will be delivered two to three times a week to students identified through JPN Selangor data to help reduce the burden on families in need.

He said recipients of the programme have already been identified, with an implementation mechanism nearly similar to the long-running Supplementary Food Scheme (RMT).

"Selangor is moving in the same direction by making schools not just a comfortable place to learn but a place that safeguards every child's wellbeing.

"This is among the Selangor government's efforts to help parents amid the crisis affecting West Asia," he said.