The Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, together with the CIS Basic Organization for School Feeding — the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute, held a working meeting to discuss improvements in school and preschool meals. The meeting was chaired by Kyrgyz Minister of Education Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva and the SIFI President Vladimir Chernigov.
Modernizing School Kitchens
The discussion emphasized that improving the quality and safety of children’s meals begins with modernizing kitchen facilities. To identify priorities for upgrades, the Ministry plans to introduce a “passportization” system for every school kitchen. Each “passport” will include detailed information on equipment condition, required upgrades, and planned investments. This system will ensure transparency in budgeting and create equal conditions for all schools through a unified standard for equipment and oversight.
Proposal for a National Nutrition Agency
Experts from the SIFI suggested exploring the creation of a dedicated agency in Kyrgyzstan to oversee school and preschool meals. Such an agency would help monitor food quality, implement new standards and methodologies, and facilitate collaboration among schools, ministries, and development partners.
As an example, experts highlighted Armenia’s experience. In 2016, Armenia established the “Sustainable School Feeding Foundation,” which later evolved into the “School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency.” Its core mission is to support the government in implementing the National School Feeding Programme. With this support, the programme achieved sustainable development and contributed significantly to promoting healthy eating habits among children.
Proven Tools and Best Practices
Russian experts presented a school kitchen assessment system already in use in Russia and across several CIS countries. This tool helps schools streamline data collection, quickly identify which equipment needs replacement, and develop step-by-step modernization plans.
“Experience shows that a well-designed system of evaluation and planning can significantly improve the efficiency of school kitchens,” said Vladimir Chernigov, the SIFI President. “We are pleased to share our expertise and to work with Kyrgyzstan in building a modern nutrition system that meets the highest international standards and safeguards children’s health.”
Prioritizing Children’s Well-Being
The Ministry stressed that enhancing school and preschool nutrition is one of the government’s top policy priorities. Joint efforts with experts from the SIFI aim to make meals in schools healthier, safer, and more appealing — a vital contribution to children’s well-being and the early development of lifelong healthy eating habits.
Background
The Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute is a leading expert organization specializing in the development of nutrition systems in educational institutions, the introduction of modern standards, staff training, and international knowledge exchange. The Institute is also preparing the next International CIS School Feeding Forum, scheduled to take place in Tajikistan in November 2025. The first forum, held in Kyrgyzstan in 2023 at the initiative of President Sadyr Japarov, became a major platform for sharing best practices in school nutrition across the Commonwealth of Independent States. The initiative has since gained strong momentum and continues to expand.
Modernizing School Kitchens
The discussion emphasized that improving the quality and safety of children’s meals begins with modernizing kitchen facilities. To identify priorities for upgrades, the Ministry plans to introduce a “passportization” system for every school kitchen. Each “passport” will include detailed information on equipment condition, required upgrades, and planned investments. This system will ensure transparency in budgeting and create equal conditions for all schools through a unified standard for equipment and oversight.
Proposal for a National Nutrition Agency
Experts from the SIFI suggested exploring the creation of a dedicated agency in Kyrgyzstan to oversee school and preschool meals. Such an agency would help monitor food quality, implement new standards and methodologies, and facilitate collaboration among schools, ministries, and development partners.
As an example, experts highlighted Armenia’s experience. In 2016, Armenia established the “Sustainable School Feeding Foundation,” which later evolved into the “School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency.” Its core mission is to support the government in implementing the National School Feeding Programme. With this support, the programme achieved sustainable development and contributed significantly to promoting healthy eating habits among children.
Proven Tools and Best Practices
Russian experts presented a school kitchen assessment system already in use in Russia and across several CIS countries. This tool helps schools streamline data collection, quickly identify which equipment needs replacement, and develop step-by-step modernization plans.
“Experience shows that a well-designed system of evaluation and planning can significantly improve the efficiency of school kitchens,” said Vladimir Chernigov, the SIFI President. “We are pleased to share our expertise and to work with Kyrgyzstan in building a modern nutrition system that meets the highest international standards and safeguards children’s health.”
Prioritizing Children’s Well-Being
The Ministry stressed that enhancing school and preschool nutrition is one of the government’s top policy priorities. Joint efforts with experts from the SIFI aim to make meals in schools healthier, safer, and more appealing — a vital contribution to children’s well-being and the early development of lifelong healthy eating habits.
Background
The Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute is a leading expert organization specializing in the development of nutrition systems in educational institutions, the introduction of modern standards, staff training, and international knowledge exchange. The Institute is also preparing the next International CIS School Feeding Forum, scheduled to take place in Tajikistan in November 2025. The first forum, held in Kyrgyzstan in 2023 at the initiative of President Sadyr Japarov, became a major platform for sharing best practices in school nutrition across the Commonwealth of Independent States. The initiative has since gained strong momentum and continues to expand.