Nourishing young minds: the critical role of breakfast in Uganda’s academic success

By Ashraf Kitaka
Academic achievement is a universal aspiration for parents worldwide, and Uganda is no exception. A child’s future academic success is influenced significantly by their early school years. To support their children’s performance, many parents invest in various strategies, from covering the costs of extra coaching to purchasing motivational gifts. However, with today’s busy lifestyles and demanding work schedules, some parents overlook one of the most crucial factors in their child’s academic success, especially during these formative school years: ensuring a nutritious breakfast for their school-going children.
Breakfast is essential for early school-going children as it replenishes energy and stabilizes blood glucose levels, which are vital for concentration, memory, and cognitive functions necessary for learning. Nutrient- rich morning meals support mood regulation and behaviour, helping children stay engaged and cooperative in school settings. Additionally, a healthy breakfast provides key nutrients for growth and development, establishes positive lifelong eating patterns, and is linked to improved academic performance.
In Uganda today, a growing trend among private schools involves van services that require toddlers aged 3 to 5years to wake up as early as4a.m.to catch their ride. This raises important questions:
“When do these young children actually have breakfast? If breakfast is provided at school, does it meet the necessary nutritional standards? And if parents send a packed meal, is it still at an optimal temperature by the time the child eats it?”

In less privileged communities, many children go to school on empty stomachs, which may explain why the Government of Uganda is launching a new initiative to establish a nationwide school feeding program (The Independent Uganda, August 2024).
Poor academic achievement, often resulting from children attending school hungry, has significant economic implications for the nation. Low academic performance can reduce future workforce productivity, as children may lack the foundational skills necessary to succeed in higher education and skilled professions. Additionally, a less educated workforce can hinder economic growth and reduce Uganda’s competitiveness on a global scale.
Ensuring that school-going children receive a nutritious breakfast requires collaboration from parents, schools, communities, and the government. Parents should prioritize balanced breakfasts at home, including options like grains (millet and maize porridge), proteins (milk, eggs), fruits (bananas, apples), and healthy fats, or pack nutritious snacks (bread smeared with G.nut paste/peanut butter) for
children with early schedules.
Schools can implement breakfast programs with carefully planned, nutritious meals, maintain food safety, and educate parents on the benefits of a healthy breakfast. Communities can support these efforts by creating local nutrition programs and helping fund or volunteer in school feeding initiatives. The government plays a critical role by funding and establishing a nationwide school feeding program, setting nutritional standards, and monitoring these programs to ensure effectiveness. Through these coordinated efforts, all stakeholders contribute to children’s health, academic performance, and long- term development.
A nutritious breakfast is not merely a meal but a fundamental factor in supporting the academic performance and future success of young children. For toddlers embarking on their early school years, a balanced breakfast serves as a vital foundation for focus, memory, and cognitive development, enhancing their ability to engage and learn. As parents, schools, communities, and the government unite in prioritizing children’s nutrition, Uganda can look forward to a healthier, more educated, and productive generation. Investing in children’s breakfast today is an investment in the nation’s academic and economic success tomorrow.