Latest update June 15th, 2026 6:14 PM
Guyana’s School-Feeding Programme remains in focus
Dear Editor,
It is so good to hear that the Education Ministry is reviewing the school-feeding programme, seeking to ensure that that it will meet the nutritional needs of students, and that it will be of overall benefit to the schoolchildren and their families, right across the country. Before saying too much, I have to emphasize that brain development and academic performance are inseparably linked, as “Proper nutrition is essential for healthy brain growth, which is critical for learning.’ It is well documented that “Children with healthy diets often perform better academically and can focus more easily.”
According to Education Minister Sonia Parag, she had a ‘sit-down’ with the School Feeding Unit to ascertain the daily operations of the programme and to see how it can be improved to create the desired impact. As we all know, a good school- feeding programme provides significant value by improving students’ health, learning, and attendance, while also benefiting families and local economies. These programmes reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and enhance cognitive functions like concentration and memory, leading to better academic performance. They also provide financial relief to families and can support local agriculture. I mean the spin-offs from the inter-linking are very noticeable, as a quite a few sectors will be on board.
On a larger scale, I know that Europe and North America are pushing school-feeding programmes. Finland, for example, provides free, catered school meals to all pupils. France and Italy also have established programmes. The United States has a National School Lunch Programme that provides free or reduced-price lunches to eligible students.
At the level of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), it promotes and supports school-feeding programmes as a way to improve child health, nutrition, and education, particularly in low-income countries and humanitarian settings. These programmes are viewed as a smart investment that can enhance a child’s well-being, increase school attendance, and contribute to a nation’s development. UNICEF, in fact, will, at times, partner with governments, as per the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and other organizations to implement these programmes, which can include providing meals, nutrition education, and health services like micronutrient supplementation and deworming.
It is great to note that the Ministry is collaborating with the Carnegie School of Home Economics, to assess the programme’s menu and enhance its nutritional value. This has a good ring to it, as the institution is considered good, particularly for its history of skill-based training in culinary arts and nutrition. Then as the Ministry noted, it will address “… complaints received from the public and via social media… (these)” will be investigated and addressed promptly and fairly.”
Editor, this injection of energy and interest speaks well for the nation’s children. After all, Guyana has budgeted some $5.5 billion its National School Feeding Programme for 2025, an increase of 12.2% from the previous year’s allocation of $4.9 billion. This funding is intended to support nutritious meals for students across the country, particularly in remote and hinterland regions, with the goal of improving health, nutrition, and school attendance. The programme’s scope has expanded to include all Nursery to Grade Two students, providing them with options like biscuits, juices, and hot meals. All we need to do is ‘get on board’ with the minister, as she drives forward the initiative.
Yours truly,
Hargesh B. Singh.
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