SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — A total of 106,435 students from families earning below RM2,000 monthly across Selangor today started receiving free breakfasts under the Selangor Nutrition (Nutrisel) programme, which was rolled out simultaneously at 962 schools today.
Checks by Media Selangor, accompanied by representatives from the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), to SK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh found food preparation going smoothly, with 87 morning session pupils receiving free meals on the programme’s first day.
SK Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh headmistress Norzainiza Buyong said the initiative helps children from low-income families access balanced, nutritious meals before classes.
“This programme greatly assists parents from the B40 group. On this first day, we saw that the children were very happy to receive the meals. I would like to thank the state government and the menteri besar.
“Every child needs a balanced diet. They need food that supports their growth as well as their mental development. This programme helps parents provide the best nutrition for their children,” she told Media Selangor.
Norzainiza also said Nutrisel complements the existing Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) under the Education Ministry while reflecting the state government’s commitment to ensuring student welfare.
“This is an excellent programme. If possible, it should be maintained and continued because only Selangor is implementing this initiative. It shows that the state government has good initiative.
“It is my greatest hope that this programme will continue for the children of Selangor,” she added.
Nutrisel is an initiative under the Selangor Resilience Enhancement Package (SREP) announced by Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari during a June sitting of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
SREP is the state government’s response to rising living costs caused by supply chain disruptions and global energy market uncertainties.
Meanwhile, canteen operator Siti Hajar Mohd Ali said Nutrisel has brought relief to students as she regularly sees pupils coming to school without enough money for food, adding that some just watch their friends eat at the canteen as they can’t afford meals.
“As a canteen operator, I see every day that there are pupils who do not bring any money, and we simply give them food for free because we cannot bear to see them go without.
“When the menteri besar introduced this programme, we were grateful because at least they can fill their bellies and get good nutrition. This will help them focus and learn better in class,” she said.
Nutrisel provides free meals to students on Mondays and Thursdays from today until October.
The programme is undertaken through collaborations between the Selangor government and local authorities, with a total allocation of RM14.4 million.
