ISLAMABAD: As the lunch bell rings, excitement fills the air at a government-run primary school in Islamabad, where children eagerly open their lunchboxes under the watchful eyes of their teachers.
For Principal Shafia Khan, it is a daily joy to see hundreds of students enjoying hot, nutritious meals — a sign of growing “energy and hope” among them.
These meals are part of the Islamabad School Meals Program (ISMP), launched in May 2024 to fight malnutrition, improve learning outcomes, and encourage regular school attendance among children from low-income families.
Since its start, more than 200 schools have joined the initiative, reporting 99 percent attendance and 88 percent retention rates. Teachers have also observed improved concentration and greater participation in sports and cultural activities.
“With over 1,200 students in our school, every child gets this meal,” Khan said at Islamabad Model School in the I-8 sector. “Many students take some food home, too. It’s not just about eating; it’s about sharing, caring, and building good character.”
The ISMP operates under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). It began with 40 schools, said Riffat Jabeen, the FDE’s Director of Academics and Quality Assurance.
Today, the program serves around 65,000 primary students across 210 schools. Meals are prepared by 7 a.m. and delivered by noon, featuring a rotating menu of dishes such as chicken biryani, chicken haleem, chickpea rice, potato curry, and sweet rice (zarda).
“Along with nutritious food, we conduct health checks like BMI and eye tests,” Jabeen explained. “It’s a complete health and education program that nurtures both mind and body.”
Nourishing Bodies, Strengthening Minds
Pakistan has over 26 million children out of school, and 2.14 million suffer from acute malnutrition, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
The ISMP aims to make education more inclusive and healthier for all children. Costing just Rs70 ($0.25) per student per day, the program provides more than meals — it gives children a sense of dignity, stability, and hope for a brighter future.
“Before this program, many children stopped coming to school due to poverty,” Jabeen said. “Now, their parents know their children will get a proper meal, so they send them to school happily every day.”
Happier, More Energetic Students
Teachers say the transformation has been remarkable. “Food is a basic need,” said teacher Salmi Noor. “When children eat well, they have the energy to play, focus, and learn better.”
Parents have also noticed positive changes. Nazia Waseem, a mother from Dhok Kala Khan, said her five-year-old son, Jahanzaib, often skipped breakfast before the program began.
“Now he never goes hungry,” she said with a smile. “He’s more energetic, cheerful, and excited to go to school every morning. As a mother, that makes me truly happy.”
