The programme will benefit 50,000 children at 205 target schools. Hong Menea
The Ministries of Economy and Finance; and Education, Youth and Sport, will implement a food programme for 50,000 children in 205 target schools using community products.
An announcement issued on January 23 and obtained by The Post on Monday said the two ministries would implement the programme at target schools using community products starting immediately.
The programme aims to support the growth and development of children, both physically and mentally.
This will contribute to increasing enrolment rates and reduce dropout rates from primary schools, the ministries said.
The programme is to be implemented only at schools in areas of high food insecurity and low-level of education.
The announcement said the target schools that were identified were in line with the strategy for a programme that was implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP).
Community products to be used include milled rice, vegetables, fruits, fish, meat, eggs and milk bought from local farmers.
Under the programme, each student at target schools will get 720 riel for morning sessions, while full-day students will get 1,200 riel a day. Meal cooks will get 200,000 riel a month and they will cook meals for 10 months a year.
The announcement said all expenses for the programme would be covered by the state budget. The Ministry of Education has to send reports on the programme to the National Social Protection Council regularly.
Ministry of Education spokesman Ros Soveacha said on Monday that the programme was previously implemented by the WFP and the ministry.
But from now on, the government would contribute funds to implement the programme along with the WFP.
“In this collaboration, the state budget is to be used for purchasing products in areas where target schools are located to prepare meals for students,” he said.
“For the food programme at schools, community products are to be bought and used. These include vegetables, fish, meat and ingredients including milled rice.
“In this sense, communities are the ones to supply milled rice every month. Communities supply oil, soy sauce and fish every month and vegetables and other meats are to be supplied every day,” he said.
