MWE Correspondent
Tanzania’s fight against poor nutrition has recorded meaningful progress in recent years, with new figures showing that Kagera Region has reduced stunting among children under five from 44 percent to 39 percent.
The milestone reflects years of effort by local leaders, health workers, and families across the region. But even as these gains are celebrated, nutrition experts warn that one critical group continues to slip through the cracks—schoolchildren aged six to fifteen.
Officials say the improvements did not come easily. Over the past five years, health teams, village committees, and community educators have worked together to raise awareness about proper feeding, promote early checkups, and support families in adopting healthier practices. In many neighborhoods, small but impactful initiatives—such as family gardens, nutrition clubs, and parent support meetings—have helped shift attitudes toward daily meals and child care.
Despite this steady progress, specialists note a gap that could undermine long-term success: the nutritional wellbeing of school-age children. While children below five are often the focus of feeding programmes and health campaigns, many pupils in primary and lower secondary schools attend classes without a proper meal to sustain them throughout the day.
Teachers in parts of Kagera report that some learners struggle to stay alert, especially during morning lessons, because they arrive at school hungry or undernourished. Health officials explain that this age group is undergoing rapid physical and cognitive development, meaning their nutritional needs are just as important as those of younger children. Sustained deficiencies can affect concentration, growth, and even long-term academic performance.
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Education advocates argue that investing in school meals is not simply about feeding children—it is about protecting the gains already made. Well-structured school feeding programmes are known to improve attendance, help children focus better, and reduce dropout rates, especially in rural communities. Evidence from other countries shows that even simple, locally sourced meals can dramatically improve learning outcomes.
Community leaders in Kagera say the momentum seen in reducing child malnutrition should now extend to older children. Some districts have already launched pilot feeding initiatives, though limited funding and inconsistent supply remain major challenges. Still, parents and teachers agree that nutrition must be viewed as a national investment rather than an optional service.
Public health experts also stress that tackling stunting requires a life-cycle approach—one that supports mothers, infants, schoolchildren, and adolescents with equal urgency. For regions like Kagera, the next step is ensuring that progress does not stall once a child starts school.
