Students of almost 52 schools to receive meals from the Education Ministry together with Australian Government

Students of 33 schools in the North and 19 schools in the West will be assisted with meals which is being coordinated by the Ministry of Education and the Australian Government after the two recent cyclones.

The boarding schools will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner while the remaining schools will be provided with lunch only.

The program will be for 12 weeks.

The initial damage assessment conducted by the Divisional Education Officers in the North and West have identified approximately 50 schools where students are seeking food assistance and this is after farms were destroyed due to TC Yasa and TC Ana.

The Australian Government will cover the transportation of food and cooking equipment where necessary while the schools will engage members of their communities such as mother’s clubs and village groups in preparing and serving food to students in the schools.

Education Minister Rosy Akbar says it is important to ensure that children are provided with healthy meals so they can reach their learning potential, and this program will provide exactly that.

She says they are aware of the dietary requirements, including those with medical and/or religious needs. Akbar adds they thank the Australian Government for their support and look forward to working with them on various other initiatives that will directly benefit our children and communities.

Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes says Australia is proud to support the children of Fiji to achieve their full potential and ensuring children are receiving healthy meals at school will help them to focus on their studies and maximise their learning.

Feakes says this initiative aims to help families and their children in remote areas who have been impacted by the tropical cyclones, by supporting them until they can re-establish their homes and gardens.