GEORGE TOWN: Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the free breakfast programme, which is set to benefit some 2.7 million primary school pupils nationwide next year, goes beyond just food.
He said the pupils would also be taught good eating habits and civic consciousness.
Maszlee said the idea was the brainchild of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who drew inspiration from Japan, where school children were given breakfast since post World War II to ensure that they have the right nutrition.
"The programme is not just about food but a package.
"The breakfast programme will allow children to pick up civic lessons through learning the etiquette of eating, how to dispose of their food properly, washing their own plates and more.
“We want Malaysia's future generation to be healthy and instilled with good eating etiquette,” he told a press conference at the sideline of the National Education, Innovation and Research Conference here today.
Yesterday, Maszlee took to Facebook to announce the free breakfast programme.
Elaborating further, he assured that the meal served would be nutritious.
The free breakfast programme, he said will be handled the same way as the current Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) and prepared by the schools' respective canteens.
The ministry is still scrutinising the appropriate cost to ensure all students enjoy a good and quality meal.
To ensure its smooth implementation, the ministry is in the process of conducting a pilot programme at several schools, which will conclude in October.