PUTRAJAYA will continue with the free breakfast programme in schools but with a minor adjustment – it will only cater to needy pupils, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir, who is the acting education minister, said free breakfast cannot be given to all the pupils as it will not be fair because the rich will also benefit from it.

“We continue with what we have first. And provide for those who deserve it,” he said after launching Tenaga Nasional Berhad Balai Islam Complex this morning.

The cabinet had previously approved the Education Ministry’s free breakfast programme in schools – brainchild of former education minister Maszlee Malik – but the Finance Ministry did not have the RM1.67 billion needed to roll it out in all schools.

This limited the programme, to be launched later this month, to only 100 schools.

The initial plan is to provide free breakfasts to all primary schools, benefiting some 2.7 million pupils.

The programme will be launched on January 20 and involve 37,000 pupils, most of whom are from households in the bottom 40% (B40) of income earners.

The Malaysian Insight understands that it will be funded by the ministry’s existing allocation.

Another source said the ministry is getting funding from the private sector for the programme.

A study by the Health Ministry found that about 70% of schoolchildren do not have breakfast before school, while research by the World Bank found high rates of stunted growth among Malaysian children.

The ministry said last week that the first phase of the programme involving 100 schools nationwide will cost RM22 million.

The programme is to use the grab and go concept, which will feature nutritious dairy products, drinks and snacks, such as bread, cereals, biscuits, kuih, sandwiches, and fruit or boiled eggs. – January 16, 2020.