KUALA LUMPUR: The menu options under the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) will be expanded from 20 to 33 meal types by the end of 2026 to improve nutrition intake among school students, says Fadhlina Sidek.
The Education Minister said that steps have been taken to enhance the RMT programme including to diversify its menu.
"The expansion follows discussions with Health Ministry, taking into account calorie requirements and balanced diet considerations.
"The initiative also aims to attract students’ interest and preferences through a wider variety of menu options," she said in a parliamentary written reply to Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran).
Suhaimi had asked the Education Ministry to state the measures taken to improve the rate for the RMT in Sabah for 2026, given that the cost of raw ingredients in Sabah is higher than in Peninsular Malaysia.
He also asked whether RMT menus in rural schools such as those in Libaran are monitored regularly to ensure they are truly nutritious.
To ensure implementation complies with established guidelines, Fadhlina said teachers on duty conduct daily online monitoring of RMT, which is reviewed weekly by school administrators.
"Through this mechanism, RMT suppliers are constantly reminded to ensure the quality and quantity of food supplied meet the required standards.
"Monitoring is also carried out periodically by district education offices, state education departments and the Education Ministry, including checks at the start of the academic calendar to ensure the programme begins on the first day of school," she said.
Aside from that, the Health Ministry works with Education Ministry to monitor hygiene standards and food preparation methods to ensure compliance with agreed menus and standards, added Fadhlina.
The Education Ministry, she added, had revised the RMT rate beginning November 2022, increasing it from RM2.50 to RM3.50 for schools in Peninsular Malaysia, and from RM3.00 to RM4.00 for schools in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
"The increase was aimed at offsetting rising raw material costs and easing the financial burden on suppliers in providing quality and adequate meals in line with MOE’s prescribed menu," she explained.
According to Fadhlina, there are 26 primary schools with a total enrolment of 10,985 students in the Libaran parliamentary constituency.
"Of these, 4,326 students have been identified as RMT recipients.
"The Education Ministry remains committed to ensuring the quality of food and beverages provided to students to safeguard their health and support their learning development," she said.
