The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has assured that the disbursement of arrears owed to caterers under the School Feeding Programme will begin between today [Tuesday] and tomorrow [Wednesday], January 1, 2025.

This follows a protest by a large number of caterers from the School Feeding Programme at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection on Monday, December 30, demanding payment of arrears for two academic terms covering 2023 and 2024.

Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the group on Tuesday, December 31, the sector minister, Dakoa Newman, assured them that the funds would be released shortly.

“We had a lengthy meeting with them, they have spoken about their grievances and we have also assured them, as we have communicated to them, their outstanding payment it should be paid tomorrow [Wednesday, January 1],” she stated.

She added, “Concerning the first term, they just ended the first term, so they are doing their own internal processes at the School Feeding Secretariat to bring it to the Ministry for us to also append our signature.”

Dakoa Newman reaffirmed that the money would be released to the Secretariat.

“And so once that is done, the Controller will once again come into effect and release the monies needed for the first term. I have spoken to them at length, and they are also waiting for their payment, which is today, tomorrow” she said.

Read also: School Feeding caterers besiege Gender Ministry over non-payment of arrears