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The introduction of a breakfast programme at the Georges Plain Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland has been credited for the improvements in the punctuality and attendance of the students.

Nakeshia Murdock, guidance counsellor at the school, said that prior to the introduction of the programme, several children showed signs of hunger and were often sleepy and agitated because they did not get breakfast at home.

"When they come in the mornings, sometimes they don't have a meal, or maybe their parents left for work very early and there was nothing for them to eat, so they come to school needing a meal," she said.

"We noticed that at the infant level, the absent of a morning meal was a problem. We got sponsorship for about 40 students, ranging from the infant department through to grade six, to ensure that they are provided with a hot meal in the mornings," she said.

Murdock said the school sought help from the Social Development Commission, and an arrangement was put in place to assist the children through the Georges Plain Community Development Committee.

"It has help with the punctuality, as the children are required to come out early to have their breakfast, which is prepared at the schools canteen and is served between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., ahead of the official 8:30 a.m. commencement of each schoolday."

"For those persons (parents/guardians) who were having an issue with not sending the children to school because they didn't have a morning meal, that is no longer an issue. We do breakfast three days per week - Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Those are the days that we realised that the attendance tended to be a little lower than Mondays and Tuesdays," the guidance counsellor said.

Meanwhile, parents are lifting their hands to the heavens as they give thanks to the school administrators for helping them to fill a critical need for the children through the breakfast programme.

"It help me a lot. Sometimes the pocket is low and I don't have any money to do all that needs to be done for him, as I am not working," said Sandra White, whose son is currently on the programme.

Nashana Chase, the mother of three of the 40 children on the programme, is equally glad.

"My children and I really appreciate the fact that they are able to get complimentary breakfast three days per week, because we are not able to afford them that first meal in the mornings," she said.