PUTRAJAYA must continue the supplementary food programme (RMT) for needy pupils even though schools are closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, said education and parent-teacher groups.

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the government should always be prepared for an increase in the number of pupils needing food assistance as a result of the pandemic’s impact on the economy and livelihoods.

“It is estimated that one million pupils are in need of food aid, compared to 600,000 pupils before the pandemic.

“It is hoped that the government will act immediately to help those affected by poverty, so that these children do not fall ill due to malnutrition,” Noor Azimah told The Malaysian Insight.

The one million figure was an estimate by Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik when he debated Budget 2021 recently.

Maszlee said the expected increase in the number of needy children requiring food aid is based on the current situation of the M40 income group where many are now slipping into the B40 group because of the effects of Covid-19.

The former education minister said the closure of schools, which are only due to reopen in late January, has denied children from income-stressed families of nutritious food at least once a day.

Budget 2021 allocated RM420 million for the RMT, a 42% increase from the previous allocations of RM295 million for 2020 and RM289 million for 2019.

The increase for 2021 includes the daily provision of milk to pupils, instead of twice a week as before.

Schools, which have been closed for the most part of this year, were shut again under the conditional movement-control order (CMCO) since October 14 due to a third wave of Covid-19 infections.

Noor Azimah said schools should remain open as food distribution centres for the RMT.

The government could also seek assistance from the military to distribute food in rural areas where pupils may find it difficult to travel to schools to receive the food aid, she said.

National Parents’ and Teachers’ Association president Mohamad Ali Hassan also agreed that the government should keep the RMT going even though pupils are having classes at home and online.

The government should put some thought into the matter, considering how the pandemic is expected to last into next year, he said, adding that another option would be to substitute the food aid with cash.

“The government should be thinking of ways to channel the RMT assistance to pupils, who are still studying but just not in school.

“It could be given in cash. I think that’s the best way. The list of pupils on the RMT programme is already available,” said Ali.

National Union of the Teaching Profession president Aminuddin Awang also agrees that the government should continue the food assistance programme.

“We would welcome it as it is for the wellbeing of pupils. The Education Ministry’s allocation under Budget 2021 is RM50.4 billion and maybe some of this could be used, because we don’t know how long the Covid-19 pandemic will last,” he said.

Outside of the programme, Aminuddin said concerns about the nutritional needs of poorer pupils should be raised with community leaders and elected representatives, as the union and schools have no means or jurisdiction to handle such matters.

“The RMT programme does not exist now as schools are closed. It is beyond the control of teachers to take care of pupils’ nutritional needs.

“The responsibility should be with community leaders or elected representatives.” – December 2, 2020.