DepEd plans to expand school-based feeding program for the entire school year
Recognizing the link between proper nutrition and school performance among learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) is planning to expand the school-based feeding program for the entire school year.
(DepEd / MB VISUAL CONTENT GROUP)
“This is very important because aside from giving proper nutrition to our learners, it also encourages them to stay in school,” DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa said during the post-State of the Nation (SONA) discussions held last week. Currently, Poa explained that the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) only covers 120 feeding days. “We are looking to expand this to try and see if we could have it for the entire school year,” he said. Poa underscored the importance of expanding the SBFP because it hits two birds with one stone. “Aside from giving proper nutrition to our learners, it also encourages our learners to stay in school, so dropout rates are also reduced,” he added. Under Republic Act (RA) 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” the feeding program in public schools must run for not less than 120 days. As mandated by law, a school year should have at least 200 days. The SBFP covers undernourished school pupils --- from Kindergarten to Grade 6 --- in public schools nationwide. Poa noted that the expanded SBFP aims to reduce the dropout rate among school children due to malnutrition.
(DepEd / MB VISUAL CONTENT GROUP)
“This is very important because aside from giving proper nutrition to our learners, it also encourages them to stay in school,” DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa said during the post-State of the Nation (SONA) discussions held last week. Currently, Poa explained that the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) only covers 120 feeding days. “We are looking to expand this to try and see if we could have it for the entire school year,” he said. Poa underscored the importance of expanding the SBFP because it hits two birds with one stone. “Aside from giving proper nutrition to our learners, it also encourages our learners to stay in school, so dropout rates are also reduced,” he added. Under Republic Act (RA) 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” the feeding program in public schools must run for not less than 120 days. As mandated by law, a school year should have at least 200 days. The SBFP covers undernourished school pupils --- from Kindergarten to Grade 6 --- in public schools nationwide. Poa noted that the expanded SBFP aims to reduce the dropout rate among school children due to malnutrition.