The DBE, in collaboration with the Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) and the Consumer Education Project of Milk South Africa (CEP), will commemorate World School Milk Day (WSMD) under the theme: “Dairy Gives You Go” at a World School Milk Day celebration to be held at Kruisfontein Primary School in the Sara Baartman District in the Eastern Cape Province on 26 September 2018.

According to the United Nations’ Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO) “World School Milk Day is an open day where school communities are free to celebrate in any manner to educate learners”. Celebrations can take place at any level - from national to regional to school level. Many participating countries organise celebrations with a common goal to promoting the consumption of milk by learners.

The first World School Milk Day (WSMD) was celebrated in September 2000 and has since become an annual event held in many countries throughout the world. In South Africa the WSMD was celebrated for the first time by the DBE on 28 September 2016, at Mpumelelo Primary School in Leandra in the Mpumalanga Province, and has since become an annual event commemorated in provinces throughout the country.

The DBE, in co-operation with provinces and various partners will, therefore participate in WSMD celebrations held across the provinces to raise awareness and highlight the significance of milk and its importance for growing bodies. It is important that learners should consume foods from the dairy group: milk, maas or yoghurt every day to ensure optimal development. The provincial celebrations will commence at the Windmill Primary School in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni in the Gauteng Province, and at the Makwatambani Junior Primary School in Vhulaudzi, Vhembe in the Limpopo Province on 07 September 2018.

Milk is part of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) menu specifications for learner feeding schemes in schools.