Which one of the following best illustrates a situation most likely to reduce extreme poverty?

The situation that best illustrates a strategy likely to reduce extreme poverty involves providing free education, including school meals, to children from the poorest families. Access to education is a critical component in breaking the cycle of poverty. When children receive an education, they gain knowledge and skills that enhance their employment opportunities later in life. This, in turn, increases their potential earnings and financial stability.

Additionally, providing meals as part of educational programs helps alleviate immediate food insecurity for these children, allowing them to focus on their studies rather than their hunger. By investing in the education of children, society not only helps individual families uplift themselves from poverty but also contributes to the long-term economic development of communities as a whole. The benefits of education extend beyond the individual; educated populations typically lead to improved health, higher civic participation, and ultimately, more robust economies.

The other options, while they may contribute to poverty reduction in specific contexts, do not address the foundational issue of education and its long-term transformative potential as effectively as providing free education and meals.