DILI, 01 april 2024 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Education (MoE) through the Secretary of State for Secondary Education and Technical Schools (SoSSETS) launched a school feeding program for 5.335 students in Faról Elementary School, in Dili.
Secretary of State for Secondary Education and Technical Schools, Domingos Lopes Lemos said that a school feeding program is important to promote higher school attendance and reduce dropout rates.
“The school feed program will provide carefully selecting balanced meals to improve children’s nutrition. It also improves concentration and educational performance in school,” Lemos told reporters at the launch ceremony.
SFP offered a healthy diet to the students, including rice, corn, bread, green vegetables, bananas, milk, egg, meat, beans, fish, etc.
Lemos added that a variety of foods is essential for a balanced diet: “SFP will provide a balanced diet which includes the five food groups, including carbohydrates, vitamins, protein, healthy fats, and minerals.
He said that the School Feeding Program will be implemented in all basic schools across Timor-Leste: “We encourage all schools to use the school feeding recipe book which was launched last year.”
On november 2023, the Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministries of Education, Health, Agriculture and State Administration, and WFP with Agora Food Studios, and the Presidency launched a school feeding recipe book to promote nutritious and local foods.
Sixty-five recipes presented in the book were evaluated to ensure they provide balanced, appealing meals covering carbs, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Minister of Education Dulce de Jesus Soares said: “As part of the government’s program, the new menus will strengthen nutritional intake at a critical time for brain development, increasing children’s ability to learn.” Ingredients suit local tastes.
The program aims to reach all 292,000 school children, regardless of gender, disability, or status, and engages women in food production and sale.
The launch is part of a wider initiative by the Presidency to support youth from remote areas to visit the capital and commemorate the Anniversary of the 48th Anniversary of Independence Day, which will take place on november 28.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
