Nutrition for primary school students introduced in Mykolaiv

Mykolaiv has started introducing meals for primary school students. The members of the Standing Committee were asked to make adjustments to the comprehensive educational program related to the implementation of the state program for providing meals in educational institutions.

The relevant decision was made at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Health and Social Protection.

Members of the Standing Committee were asked to amend the comprehensive education program for 2022-2024. The changes relate to the state catering program in educational institutions.

However, in order to ensure a sufficient amount of public funds, it is necessary to amend the comprehensive education program. The program states that meals are provided only to the privileged category. Currently, meals for privileged categories are being removed and meals for grades 1-4 are being introduced.

In addition, this year, for the first time, a state subvention was provided for the creation of centers for the defense of the country. The local budget will also be used to purchase equipment for science and math classrooms in secondary schools.

Recently, Mykolaiv launched a free meals program for privileged schoolchildren. Hot lunches were provided to privileged students, while other children could receive these services at the expense of their parents.

In November of this year, Kyiv hosted the first European Regional School Feeding Summit, which brought together Ukrainian and European officials, experts and civil society activists. The goal of the event was to join forces to strengthen school feeding programs not only in Europe but also beyond.

In August, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the allocation of subventions for the purchase of equipment and modernization of school canteens. In Mykolaiv, four educational institutions received subventions totaling about UAH 80 million.

In September, the United Nations World Food Program agreed to transfer up to 30% of the cost of meals for more than 160,000 primary school children in Ukraine, including those in the Mykolaiv region, to the Ministry of Education.

Анна Бальчінос