The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has officially handed over 350 metric tons of rice to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in support of the National School Feeding Programme.

The donation, facilitated through support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was presented during a formal ceremony held at the Ministry of Agriculture’s warehouse in Bo City.

The rice is specifically earmarked for the National School Feeding Programme, a key component of the Government’s Free Quality Education initiative aimed at improving school attendance, retention, and academic performance among pupils.

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Deputy Minister of Agriculture II, Sahr Hemore, presented the consignment and expressed the Ministry’s pride in contributing to the health and academic success of schoolchildren across the country.

Receiving the donation on behalf of MBSSE, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Brima Sowa, reminded attendees that President Julius Maada Bio’s 2018 declaration of the School Feeding Programme was designed to complement the Free Quality Education initiative.

He emphasized that providing meals to pupils is critical to ensuring they remain in school and are able to learn effectively.

“This donation is a huge boost that will significantly reduce the financial burden on the Ministry,” Sowa stated. “We welcome such contributions from all stakeholders who believe in our educational mission.”

While expressing appreciation to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and ECOWAS for the support, the Permanent Secretary issued a stern warning regarding the management of the supplies. He stressed that the rice is strictly for the benefit of students and must not be diverted to local markets or seen being sold on the streets.