From November 12 to 15, 2024, the picturesque Rasht Valley hosted a field meeting of the Interdepartmental Coordination Council on School Feeding. The event included school monitoring visits and discussions on pressing issues related to school meals.
From observation to action: school monitoring in the Rasht Valley
Between November 12 and 14, experts from the Council visited schools in Nurabad, Rasht, Tajikabad, and Lakhsh. Their mission was to assess the current state of school feeding programs and identify practical solutions. The Rasht Valley is home to 347 schools, serving 31,881 primary school children.
Thanks to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), schools in the region received 362 tons of food, including flour, oil, and chickpeas, for the 2023–2024 academic year. However, supporting children goes far beyond food supplies.
Currently, 34 schools in the Valley are implementing innovative projects: 21 schools are engaged in beekeeping; 10 schools are raising goats; and 3 schools operate greenhouses. These initiatives help diversify school meals with fresh, organic products grown on-site.
Moreover, five schools in Rasht, Nurabad, Lakhsh, Tajikabad, and Sangvor became part of a pilot program to improve meals in 2024. With additional state funding, these schools now offer higher-quality, more varied meals to 1,325 primary school children—a major step forward in ensuring their health and well-being.
Focusing on school feeding: the Rasht meeting
On November 15, 2024, the Council held a meeting in Rasht, bringing together representatives from various ministries, agencies, and international organizations. The gathering aimed to advance the National School Feeding Development Programme. Chaired by Sherali Rakhmatullaev from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan, the meeting created an atmosphere of collaboration and a shared commitment to the importance of healthy nutrition for children.
Key topics addressed
Implementing the National School Feeding Development Programme
Participants reviewed progress made in 2024 at national and district levels. Discussions covered the main components of the program, including:
Food supply organization,
Modernization of school canteen infrastructure,
Programme financing.
Speakers from the Ministries of Health, Education, Finance, and Agriculture, along with district council heads, presented updates on their efforts.
The role of international organizations
The contributions of the WFP were highlighted, showcasing its support not only in feeding children but also in renovating school canteens to improve the dining areas. Discussions also emphasized the role of the Social and Industrial Foodservice Institute (SIFI), which actively supports new projects to improve the quality of school meals.
Outcomes and future plans
The meeting concluded with reviewing current initiatives and creating a roadmap for future efforts. Participants stressed the importance of strengthening interdepartmental cooperation and mobilizing additional resources to improve school feeding projects.
The field meeting underscored the critical role of collaboration among government agencies and international organizations in promoting school feeding initiatives nationwide. These collective efforts aim to improve the health and well-being of schoolchildren, contributing significantly to the sustainable development of the education system.