Mykolaiv approves changes to schoolchildren's meals: new prices and privileged categories

Mykolaiv authorities have approved prices for school meals and added a new privileged category. Now children of military personnel can eat at state expense.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Executive Committee of the Mykolaiv City Council.

The Executive Committee has adopted amendments to the decision on the organization of meals in the city's educational institutions. The innovations are aimed at providing free meals to primary school students at the expense of the state and local budgets.

According to the new decision, the maximum cost of catering services is set depending on the age category of students:

• 6-11 years old: UAH 50.50
• 11-14 years old: UAH 60.20;

Free meals for elementary school students are covered by 70% of the state budget, with the rest to be financed by local authorities.

In addition, there are special conditions for children from privileged categories. Students whose parents are combatants will receive free meals.

This decision was made on the basis of Resolution No. 1145 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated October 4, 2024, which regulates the provision of subventions for school meals. This is an important step towards supporting families and providing quality food for children even in difficult conditions.

The city authorities urge parents to contact school administrations to clarify information on preferential conditions.

The mayor also ordered to amend the budget to allocate the subvention funds provided for the provision of meals to primary school students in 2024.

The total amount of the subvention is UAH 8 million 609 thousand 400. The Department of Education of the Mykolaiv City Council was appointed as the administrator of the funds.

Meals for primary school students in Mykolaiv have been introduced recently. Previously, free meals were provided only to the privileged category, but now they are also available for grades 1-4.

A total of 246.8 million hryvnias have been contracted for the modernization of canteens in Mykolaiv Oblast's educational institutions. So far, 17 contracts have been signed for the repair of canteens in various educational institutions in the region. One of the projects to modernize the canteens of the Mykolaiv Lyceum was among the most expensive.

In September, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the distribution of subventions for the purchase of equipment and modernization of school canteens. Four educational institutions in Mykolaiv received funding.

In November, Ukraine hosted the European Regional School Nutrition Summit for the first time. Over the four years of the reform, a new menu for schools has been developed, and the modernization of the material and technical base of educational institutions has begun.

Анна Бальчінос