Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali has revealed the government has decided to begin a survey of the school breakfast programme. The government launched the breakfast programme for all government-owned schools in the Maldives in 2019 to promote healthy eating and development in students.
The pilot programme was launched in 25 schools and has now expanded to 213 schools across the country. Responding to questions at the Parliament of the Maldives, Minister Aishath said the breakfast programme is one of the most successful programmes launched by the administration.
The minister said over 49,000 students had been participating in the programme before it was halted following the COVID-19 pandemic. She detailed the government has so far spent USD 15 million on the school breakfast programme.
Furthermore, Minister Aishath said the government has received positive feedback from teachers and parents regarding the programme. The minister also said students look forward to the school breakfast programme as a time to spend with their friends, resulting in fewer students arriving at school late or not going to school. The programme also helps students be focused and alert at school and reduced the number of students getting sick, added the minister.
She said the government has decided to resume the breakfast programme in January next year and begin a survey to obtain an accurate assessment of the positive effects of the programme on students.