The implementation of the National Policy on School Health aims to contribute to improving the quality of education and to provide opportunities for students and educational staff to achieve good health and well-being, enabling them to become productive human resources. The school feeding program is designed to provide healthy and nutritious meals to students in target schools and to contribute to:
- Improved access to education
- Enhanced academic performance
- Increased food security for poor families
- Strengthening the social safety net
The National Policy on School Health was approved by the Cabinet in a plenary session on April 5, 2019. The policy includes five main goals:
- Promote the provision of essential health services to students and educational staff
- Promote access to adequate nutrition
- Foster a conducive learning environment
- Cultivate a culture of personal, family, and social health care
- Encourage the participation of all stakeholders in promoting school health
To support these goals, the policy outlines nine strategic approaches:
- Develop legal frameworks and implementation mechanisms
- Promote essential health services for students and educational staff
- Improve school nutrition
- Enhance water supply and sanitation
- Create a safe, comfortable, and peaceful learning environment
- Strengthen security and order in educational institutions
- Provide health education
- Encourage the practice of health-related life skills
- Promote stakeholder participation in school health promotion
Implementation of the School Feeding Program:
- Develop an Action Plan for the Implementation of the National School Feeding Policy (2024–2035) through consultation with line ministries and implementing agencies
- Conduct a pilot study on fortified rice to improve the nutritional content of school meals
- Continue research on investment and sustainable financing mechanisms for school feeding programs, in collaboration with the Social Protection Council and the World Food Programme (WFP)
