When hunger hits the classroom: Why nutrition matters for education

“You cannot teach a hungry child.”These words echo in classrooms across South Africa every morning; a sobering reminder that learning begins not with books or lessons, but with a meal.

Across the country, thousands of children arrive at school hungry. Their concentration fades before the first activity begins. Their energy wanes before lunchtime. For them, learning becomes a battle between hunger and hope.

According to UNICEF South Africa, nearly one in three children under the age of five (roughly 27% to 30%) are stunted due to chronic malnutrition. Stunting, a result of prolonged undernutrition, doesn’t just affect growth; it affects the development of the brain. It limits a child’s ability to learn, to remember, and ultimately, to reach their potential.

In a nation rich with agricultural resources, this statistic is heartbreaking. It means that millions of children start life at a disadvantage that education alone cannot fix. A child who is undernourished will struggle to absorb knowledge, no matter how skilled the teacher or advanced the curriculum.

At Afrika Tikkun Bambanani (ATB), we see this reality every day in the early learning centres we support. Many children arrive at school without having eaten. Their bodies crave nourishment before their minds can engage.

That is why, in partnership with other NGOs and feeding initiatives, Bambanani ensures that every child receives a fortified porridge meal each morning. It may seem simple, but that bowl of porridge represents far more than breakfast, it is the start of opportunity. It is the foundation on which learning, play, and growth are built.

Nutrition alone, however, is not enough. Children also need stimulation, structure, and skilled teachers. The Bambanani Programme combines daily nutrition with:

• A play-based, internationally certified curriculum,
• Teacher and principal training, accredited by SACE,
• The Bamba Learn App, which reinforces literacy and numeracy skills, and
• Parental engagement to promote healthy routines at home.

Together, these interventions address the whole child, feeding both body and mind.

We believe that education and nutrition are inseparable. A hungry child cannot learn, and an uneducated child cannot thrive. By meeting both needs, we give children a fair start in life and begin to break the cycle of poverty that holds so many families captive.

Last week, South Africa marked World Food Day (October 16) and National Nutrition Week (October 9 -15). These events reminded us that food is more than sustenance, it is dignity, potential, and the key to learning.

If we truly want to build a South Africa where every child can succeed, we must start with the basics: no child should ever have to learn on an empty stomach.

Theresa Michael, CEO, Afrika Tikkun Bambanani