Helping the hungry learner

We laud the Department of Education (DepEd) for expanding the implementation of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).

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We cite in particular the upscaling of this nutrition program for kindergarten learners and Grade 1 to Grade 6 pupils.

Under the expanded program for school year 2025-2026, hot meals will be served to the beneficiaries for a total of 120 days. They will also be given milk for 15 days.

Next week, several members of the cabinet and education officials are slated to come to Antipolo City to launch the program. Their presence signals the importance of this initiative and sends the message that this is a priority project under the present leadership of the DepEd and the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, Jr.

We are grateful for this move by the national government.

After all, hunger is an obstacle to learning. We need to work together to help the hungry learner. If there is one program worth investing precious taxpayer money in, it is this.

Hunger has been known as a major obstacle to learning. As we all know, food is the “fuel” that helps a person get through a normal day. The calories in the food we eat provide the necessary energy that enables us to carry out our daily activities.

This is true for our children. Without the adequate amount of energy, teachers note that they may fall asleep in school and they may not have the energy to pay attention to an entire day of learning activities.