Only 61% of schools use RMT prescribed menus, says Khairy

CYBERJAYA: Only 61% of schools checked by the Health Ministry since January have complied with the food supplementary programme’s (RMT) prescribed menus.

Its Minister Khairy Jamaluddin disclosed that only this percentage of schools followed the menu’s criteria.

"If you ask me as the Health Minister, the RM2.50 and RM3 spending for Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan respectively is insufficient to foot expenditure for raw goods under the menu that we (Health Ministry) have prepared."

He noted that this was not the fault of the Education Ministry but rather the increased prices of raw ingredients and other items lately.

Khairy also proposed that the ministry raise the current spending to at least RM4 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM5.50 for Sabah and Sarawak so children get nutritious food.

He said he would be raising this with the Education Ministry soon.

"It's not the Education Ministry’s fault, the issue is the rising prices. The allocation has to be increased otherwise the children are not getting the required nutrition at schools," he added.

He said he would be raising a proposal to the Cabinet that full subsidy assistance continues to be given to children from the hardcore poor group.

There were 789,702 children in the group as of June 30.

Part of the subsidy was also given to children from other household groups to curb malnutrition.