The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education on Thursday visited Kwekwe District, where it conducted a fact-finding mission at Mutimutema Primary School and Fatima High School in the Silobela Resettlement Area to assess the implementation and impact of the School Feeding and Sanitary Wear Provision Programmes.

During its engagements with school authorities and stakeholders, the Committee established that the provision of meals to learners has a positive bearing on school attendance.

Schools reveled that the learner attendance improves when children are assured of receiving meals while at school.

Mean while the Committee further noted the positive impact of the provision of sanitary wear on the attendance and participation of the girl child.
Access to sanitary wear assists in addressing menstrual related barriers that may otherwise result in girls being absent from school.

The meeting was chaired by Hon Tendeukai Matara, who spoke about the critical role of teachers in creating an enabling and supportive environment in which learners, particularly young girls at primary school level, can confidently communicate their menstrual health concerns.

The Committee was informed that at Mutimutema Primary School, some young girls remain reluctant to approach their teachers when they commence menstruation. This lack of confidence may result in absenteeism, highlighting the need for strengthened menstrual health education, awareness and appropriate guidance and counselling mechanisms within schools.