RMT Programme Strengthened with Menu Expansion to 33 Options Starting End of Year
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — Malaysia’s Ministry of Education (MOE) will expand the menu options under the School Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) from 20 to 33 varieties, with implementation set to begin at the end of this year.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the enhancement was introduced following consultations with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to ensure meals meet calorie requirements and balanced nutrition standards.
She emphasised that the expansion is intended not only to diversify meal choices but also to improve nutritional adequacy in supporting students’ physical growth and cognitive development.
“Healthy nutrition is fundamental to ensuring students are focused, energetic and ready to learn. RMT remains a key welfare initiative under the ministry,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.
Targeting Students from B40 Families
The RMT programme is designed for primary school students from B40 households who qualify under the 2022 Poverty Line Income threshold, defined as households earning below RM1,198 or RM322 per capita.
Each eligible student receives one cooked meal and a 200-millilitre carton of milk on every school day, aligned with Malaysia’s Recommended Nutrient Intake guidelines issued by the MOH.
The programme aims to meet part of students’ daily energy requirements while reducing the risk of undernutrition among children from low-income families.
Continuous Oversight and Rate Adjustment
Daily online monitoring is conducted by teachers, with regular reviews by school administrators to ensure compliance with programme guidelines.
District Education Offices, State Education Departments and the MOE carry out periodic inspections, including checks at the start of each academic session to ensure timely implementation.
The MOH also collaborates to oversee hygiene standards and food preparation practices.
Addressing higher food costs in Sabah, Fadhlina noted that RMT allocations were revised in November 2022, increasing to RM3.50 per student in Peninsular Malaysia and RM4.00 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
The revision was intended to offset rising ingredient prices and support suppliers in maintaining food quality and adequate portions.
In the Libaran parliamentary constituency alone, 4,326 out of 10,985 primary school students are RMT beneficiaries.
-wilayah.com.my
