The Director of the National Wellness Centre Doctor Isimeli Tukana says they found that a significant number of children in Fiji are going to school without having breakfast.
He says students are starting their day with no breakfast and are being given a lot of money by their parents and are then using the money to buy food which may not necessarily be healthy.
Speaking at a Public Lecture at FNU, Doctor Tukana said even if the school canteen is selling healthy food, the students are still exposed to vendors that sell outside the school premises.
He says through the School Health Policy they are now intervening in schools through their health inspectors that are checking school canteens.
Doctor Tukana says under the School Health Policy the Education Ministry is also deciding the menu for school canteens.
He adds that they face problems dealing with school managements because schools are using canteens for their fundraising.
He says that another problem is the teachers because they are not being good role models.
The Ministry has already notified schools to ensure people that are allowed into the school compound to sell products are abiding by the relevant health policies in place.
