DR Congo: Kasaï Central Province Backs School Meals Law
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Vision has brought together provincial stakeholders in Kananga to advance a legal framework for school feeding programmes. This initiative forms part of the “ENOUGH” campaign, launched in 2023 to promote children’s well-being through improved access to food, education, and protection. A key milestone has now been reached in strengthening school feeding in Kasaï Central, with a focus on boosting public policies and investment in this sector as a driver of development and educational success.
From 30 to 31 May, government representatives, civil society organisations, and sector experts met in Kananga to validate a proposed provincial decree aimed at promoting, organising, and supporting school feeding programmes.
Supported by World Vision, the workshop enabled participants to thoroughly review and refine the draft, ensuring it aligns with the province’s realities and needs. Discussions were marked by strong engagement and widely praised contributions.
The plenary session included representatives from the provincial ministries of Gender, Family and Children, Justice, Education, Agriculture, and Health, alongside civil society actors and other experts involved in school feeding.
At the close of the workshop, provincial MP and sponsor of the initiative, Sosthène Kambidi, welcomed the quality of discussions and pledged to incorporate all recommendations and amendments raised.
“All relevant feedback from this workshop will be taken into account to produce a consensual text tailored to the expectations of the people of Kasaï Central,” he affirmed.
Participants unanimously adopted the draft decree, recognising it as a vital tool for strengthening school feeding programmes, improving school attendance and performance, and supporting local development through the involvement of communities and agricultural producers.
Following this participatory validation, the next step will be the formal submission of the text to the Provincial Assembly of Kasaï Central, expected in the week of 1 June 2026.
For participants, the adoption of this decree sends a strong signal in favour of children’s right to education and well-being. They expressed hope that the assembly will approve the text, providing the province with a sustainable legal framework to support school feeding initiatives.
“We welcome this initiative, which places children at the heart of our province’s development priorities. School feeding is a powerful lever for improving learning conditions while supporting local agricultural production and community development,” said Frédéric Tshibona, an expert at the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture.
This progress reflects the commitment of provincial authorities, partners, and communities to making school feeding a strategic lever for improving learning conditions and strengthening human capital in Kasaï Central. The workshop was held in the plenary hall of the Kasaï Central Provincial Assembly.