Dialogue about future: discussing school feeding development in Armenia

2024-07-12 17:00 Armenia

An important meeting took place at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia. Deputy Minister Araksia Svajyan met with Frans van Gerwen, head of the UN World Food Programme's assessment mission, and Satenik Mkrtchyan, director of the School Feeding and Child Welfare agency to discuss the future development of school meals in Armenia.

Araksia Svajyan welcomed the guests, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the UN WP and highlighting the successes achieved, specifically the complete handover of the School Feeding Programme to the government of Armenia. As of January 2023, all children from 1st to 4th grade in 1075 schools across 10 regions of Armenia receive hot meals funded by the state budget. Plans are underway to expand the School Feeding Programme to include schools in Yerevan and provide hot meals to all primary school students.

"School canteens and kitchens are being renovated and provided with new equipment and furniture," Ms. Svajyan said. "The inclusion of Yerevan schools in the initiative presents unique challenges, as many schools are overcrowded and lack sufficient space."

Mr. van Gerwen, in turn, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and commended the success of the School Feeding Programme in Armenia. He informed the attendees that the evaluation results would be ready by the end of October this year. During their visit, mission representatives will tour schools in Tavush, Lori, and other marzes to assess the infrastructure and implementation process.

Taking the discussion further, the parties touched upon the initial results of the new Healthy Lifestyle project for students in grades 5-7. This supplementary health education lesson was piloted in Tavush schools. Starting in September of the new academic year, the Healthy Lifestyle course will become compulsory in all regions of Armenia, including Yerevan.

"The experience of implementing the new state standard of public education in Tavush, along with the successes and challenges recorded in the local schools, is crucial for addressing gaps and solving problems in other schools across the republic," Araksia Svajyan remarked.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance and success of the School Feeding Programme, demonstrating the Armenian government's commitment to improving the quality of school meals, enhancing infrastructure, and introducing new educational standards to ensure the health and well-being of schoolchildren.

Prepared using materials from the information agency lurer.com.