Trees that were once cut down for firewood to prepare meals for learners in three primary schools in off-grid areas of Kasungu are now being preserved following the introduction of the Planet Friendly School Meals initiative by the World Food Programme (WFP).
The initiative, currently being piloted in Kaunda, Katuta, and Kasamba Primary Schools, has introduced solar-powered cooking pots to prepare meals for learners under the school feeding programme.
Speaking in an interview, Director of Education and Sports in Kasungu, Joseph Chioza, described the initiative as timely and crucial for environmental conservation, emphasizing the need to scale it up to all schools benefiting from the feeding programme in the district.
“We are happy to have this initiative in our schools because many trees were being used as firewood, destroying the environment. Previously, community members had to spend hours searching for firewood so that learners could have meals in the morning, which often caused delays. Now, with these solar-powered cookers, time is saved and the environment is protected,” said Chioza.
Meanwhile, Headteacher of Kaunda Primary School, under Kawiya Teachers Development Centre (TDC), Paul Mwale, said the solar-powered pots are functioning well and have eased the burden on women who used to wake up before dawn to fetch firewood and prepare food.
“As a school and community, we have welcomed this development because it has more advantages than disadvantages. Cooking porridge using solar power is cheaper and more efficient. In the past, we sometimes failed to prepare porridge due to a shortage of firewood, which affected learning. Measures are already in place to ensure that the facility is well maintained and sustainable,” said Mwale.
According to WFP Head of School Feeding Programmes Fortune Maduma, the organization introduced the initiative as part of efforts to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce dependence on firewood.
Maduma added that if the pilot phase succeeds in the three schools, the initiative will be rolled out to other schools across the district.
Commenting on the development, environmental expert Kenneth Mtago applauded WFP for the innovation.
“What WFP has done is commendable because it aligns with what environmental experts have long advocated—embracing renewable energy technologies to drive development. This initiative is a good example for other organizations implementing school feeding programmes to follow. As a country, we are experiencing hotter weather, a clear sign of climate change. This initiative will help reduce wanton cutting of trees, and Malawians need to embrace such technologies,” said Mtago.
The Planet Friendly School Meals initiative was launched in February this year, with support from the Government of Norway and the European Union (EU).
By Davie Banda
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