INTRODUCTION:

The one cup of milk per child started being piloted in 6 Districts of Bugesera, Kamonyi, Nyanza, Karongi, Gakenke and Ngororero in May 2010. There are 5 pilot schools in each district making a total of 30 pilot schools as shown in the table bellow. The 30 schools that started the program were selected by MINEDUC as a test case from which the program would roll out to other schools and districts. A preparatory meeting aimed at introducing the program was held in MINEDUC on 25/4/2010 with all the Headmasters of the 30 schools together with MINISANTE as well as Nyagatare Dairy. During the meeting, the implimmentation of the pilot program was discussed and the role of each party explained and agreed upon. The meeting was also aimed at confirming the numbers of children per class in the respective schools. In the preparatory meeting with the headteachers, it became apparent that the numbers of children given were not accurate as some schools had nursery sections and the total numbers were then adjusted accordingly. The program did not start at the same time in all the five Districts. Bugesera and Kamonyi schools started first and were followed by Nyanza and Ngororero and finally by Gakenke and Karongi. Bugesera, Kamonyi, Karongi and Gakenke schools are supplied milk by Nyagatare Dairy while Nyanza and Ngororero are supplied by Nyanza Dairy.

IMPLEMMENTATION STATUS:

1. Each school has a school teacher as the focal point for the program. This school teacher acts as a liason between the school, RARDA and the milk suppliers. The teacher organizes the children at the time of drinking and explains about the health and other details related to the milk and keeps a record of children who drink milk.

2. There is a reception committee that is in charge of receving and ensuring distribution of milk to the children. This commitee is composed of the school teacher focal point, RARDA representative, diary representative and a local authority representative. The committee signs reception papers indicating amount of milk delivered to the school that are presented to RARDA for payment.

3. Bugesera, Kamonyi and Nyanza Schools drink milk on Tuesdays and Thursdays while Ngororero, Karongi and Gakenke schools drink every Wednesday and Fridays.

4. Except on the first day, the milk has been arriving at the schools in good time.

5. The children who study in the morning drink milk at 11.40 a.m before going home. Those who study in the afternoon drink milk at 3.00 pm because they come from home at 12.30 pm after having lunch.

6. Details of the number of children who drank milk at each drinking session are given in the tables bellow.

SOME PHOTOS TAKEN TO ILLUSTRATE THE PROGRAM

Excited school children with milk during the launching of the program in Kamonyi District

A milk drinking session in a nursery school in Gakenke District

School children enjoying drinking milk in Kamonyi District

School drinking milk in Gakenke District

Children in nursery school drinking milk in Gakenke District. These children need the

Parents and school children on a milk drinking day in Karongi District

[Back]