Launch of Free Milk Program in Schools Delayed

In a significant setback, the Education Department has failed to fulfill its promise to provide milk packets to primary school students in government schools across Rawalpindi Division, despite the start of the new academic session after the summer holidays.

The distribution, initially scheduled to begin on August 15 with the reopening of schools, has been delayed due to financial constraints, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Sources within the Education Department disclosed that Punjab’s severe financial crisis, worsened by the allocation of Rs45 billion for electricity concessions, has led to the postponement of the milk distribution program.

Originally intended to launch in all primary schools across Punjab, the program has now been scaled back. The revised plan will be piloted in two remote districts of South Punjab, starting in mid-September.

The expansion of this milk distribution program to other districts will depend on the success of the pilot and the availability of sufficient funds. Until at least August 31, no milk will be distributed in schools across the province.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Abdul Rauf Kayani, President of the Rawalpindi District Primary Schools Teachers’ Association, expressed his disappointment.