The Kaduna State Government has said its School Feeding Programme is improving the health of pupils in public boarding schools while reducing the financial burden on parents, as hundreds of residents benefited from a free medical outreach in Kaura Local Government Area.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on school feeding, Hajiya Fauziyah Buhari-Ado, the government’s position was made known by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Uba Sani on the School Feeding Programme, Fauziya Buhari-Ado, during a free medical outreach organised by the Bantex Memorial Foundation in collaboration with the Second Chance Humanitarian Aid Foundation in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area on Sunday.

The statement partly read, “The outreach provided hundreds of residents with free medical consultations, laboratory tests and treatment for ailments, including cancer, eye diseases and hepatitis.”

Speaking at the event, Buhari-Ado said five public boarding schools in Kaura Local Government Area are currently benefiting from the state government’s School Feeding Programme, with the government fully covering feeding costs and approved school charges.

She said the intervention has significantly reduced the financial burden on families.

“Parents have confirmed they no longer pay for these services,” noting that the development has eased financial pressure on households.

Buhari-Ado added that parents have also reported visible improvements in the health and wellbeing of their children due to regular access to balanced and nutritious meals.

She urged parents to sustain healthy feeding practices during school holidays to ensure students return to school in good health and are ready to learn.

The governor’s aide also commended the Bantex Memorial Foundation for sustaining annual humanitarian interventions in memory of the late former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex.

She described the medical outreach as a valuable complement to the Kaduna State Government’s investments in healthcare, education and social welfare.

Buhari-Ado expressed optimism that the state would continue to strengthen partnerships with humanitarian organisations to expand access to healthcare and education.

She added that the increasing participation of community leaders, traditional rulers and residents in such programmes reflects growing public confidence in grassroots development initiatives.

School feeding has become a key component of Kaduna State’s education reforms under Governor Sani, with the government positioning the initiative as a strategy to improve school enrolment, retention and learning outcomes while reducing the financial burden on vulnerable families.

The programme aligns with broader efforts by governments across Nigeria to tackle child malnutrition, improve educational attainment and strengthen social protection. Alongside education interventions, Kaduna has continued to partner with development and humanitarian organisations to expand access to healthcare through community-based medical outreaches, particularly in underserved rural communities.