KUCHING: Over 80,000 primary school pupils in Sarawak are eligible for the Education Ministry's school milk programme in the 2023/2024 academic year, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Premier said the programme was meant for school children from families with a monthly household income of RM1,169 and below or RM310 per capita.
"Based on this criteria, a total of 83,852 pupils throughout Sarawak have been selected for the programme.
"We appreciate the efforts of the Education Ministry and Sabah International Dairies Sdn Bhd to support the practice of drinking milk among school children," he said at the Borneo-level World School Milk Day celebration here on Wednesday (Jan 17).
His speech was read by state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah.
Sabah International Dairies supplies milk for the programme in Sabah and Sarawak.
Abang Johari said the programme would encourage school children to drink milk every day for better nutrition and health.
He called on parents, teachers and other stakeholders to support the programme and ensure that pupils from lower-income families would continue to receive the free milk assistance.
State Education director Datuk Azhar Ahmad said the World School Milk Day celebration aimed to raise awareness on the importance of child nutrition.
He said various activities were carried out in schools in conjunction with the celebration, including a TikTok challenge on drinking milk and awards for schools with the best school milk programme management.
The TikTok challenge was won by SK Beradek in Sarawak and SK Sindumin in Sabah, while the best programme management awards went to SJK(C) Chung Hua Sematan in Sarawak and SK Pangi in Sabah.
