The school feeding programme in public primary schools faces an uncertain future after the World Food Programme (WFP) warned that its funding may not extend beyond the current term.
The programme currently covers 2 647 of the country’s 5 979 public primary schools representing 44 percent, with government saying it is targeting universal coverage by 2030.
Among the providers, Mary’s Meals and WFP serve the most schools, at 1 071 and 784 respectively.
But in its April country brief, WFP states that the programme risks disruption from September 2026, with 594 000 of the 769 150 learners it supports likely to lose meals, undermining nutrition and education outcomes.
The agency said $11 million (about K20 billion) is needed to sustain the programme beyond that date.
Reads part of the report: “WFP remains committed to supporting the Government’s goal of universal school feeding, but with coverage at 44 percent, the funding gap threatens to reverse progress.
“We require $11 million to continue providing meals to 594 000 learners in the next academic year from September 2026.”
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has acknowledged the risk posed by the potential withdrawal.
The ministry’s deputy director of school health, nutrition and HIV and Aids Maureen Maguza Tembo said the ministry is working with over 40 partners and is exploring alternatives.
She said: “WFP is a key partner covering many schools, so this will affect the programme. Government is exploring options to sustain it.
“A consultant is assessing readiness to scale up, following last year’s initiative to expand access. Our goal remains to cover all public schools by 2030.”
Meanwhile, Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe has urged government to treat school feeding as essential
In an interview, he said school feeding programmes improve enrolment, especially in rural and food-insecure areas, warning against over-reliance on external funding.
Parliamentary Committee on Education vice chairperson Golden Chizimba said the committee will push for additional government funding.
“The programme has improved enrolment and attendance. We will push to cover the deficit and scale up home-grown school feeding, sourcing food locally and involving communities,” he said.
The programme is supported by 17 partners including Afikepo (13 schools), CARE Malawi (19), GIZ (3), the Malawi Government (106), community members (267) and HarvestPlus (92).
WFP also noted that fuel prices have risen by nearly 40 percent, increasing transport and food costs.
Following severe flooding in March 2026 in parts of Blantyre and Chikwawa, emergency lean season distributions have been extended to April 30.
On nutrition, 23 302 beneficiaries were reached in March, with an 89 percent recovery rate. However, WFP warned that the floods may worsen malnutrition among 56 000 under-five children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
