Madam Deputy Speaker, I am going to speak about the school nutrition programme. The ANC-led government continues to expand the outreach of existing programmes such as the child support grants and the school nutrition programmes to more children, in particular those at public secondary schools.
Through the school feeding scheme funded by the government, children from disadvantaged areas are guaranteed at least one meal a day. For the overwhelming majority in certain schools, the programme is their lifeline. The programme is already yielding positive results.
Amongst other things, it has resulted in the following: As the programme reaches more schools, more and more children are now attending schools; and it increases the level of concentration and encourages them to return to school. The programme faces the challenges of underspending by the departments, while children, in particular from certain rural areas, continue to go hungry.
The ANC reinforces that working together with our people we will ensure that school feeding schemes are extended to all poor primary and high schools. A better life for all our people will become a reality. I thank you. [Applause.]