ASIATODAY.ID, PARIS – A new report from UNESCO highlights the critical role school meals play in improving both the health and academic performance of children around the world. While access to school meals has significantly expanded, the quality and nutritional value of these meals remain a pressing concern.
“Thanks to recent investments, nearly half of the world’s primary school students now have access to school meals. But we must go beyond access and focus on what’s actually on their plates,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO quoted April 07, 2025.
“Children need balanced meals made from fresh, nutritious ingredients, along with food education to help them build lifelong healthy habits. This is a crucial issue for both public health and education.”
The UNESCO report, titled “Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well,” was launched at the Nutrition for Growth event in France. It reveals that while 25% of all students globally received school meals in 2024, the figure climbs to 47% among primary school students. The report also underscores the impact of school meals on educational outcomes: schools that provide meals report a 9% increase in enrollment and an 8% boost in student attendance, alongside notable improvements in academic performance.
However, the quality of these meals often falls short. In 2022, nearly 27% of school meal programs were implemented without input from nutrition experts. Out of 187 countries evaluated, only 93 had national laws, standards, or guidelines governing school food and beverages. Alarmingly, just 65% of these countries regulate the food sold in school cafeterias, shops, and vending machines.
The lack of comprehensive standards and nutritional oversight is especially concerning amid a global rise in food insecurity and a dramatic increase in childhood obesity—rates have more than doubled in most countries since 1990.
To address these challenges, UNESCO is calling on governments to:
- Prioritize the use of fresh, minimally processed foods in school meals.
- Integrate food and nutrition education into national school curricula.
- Implement clear nutritional standards and monitoring systems for all food served and sold in schools.
To support these initiatives, UNESCO is developing practical tools for policymakers and educators, including a comprehensive manual and training program. These resources will also aid the Coalition for School Meals, a global alliance co-led by UNESCO, in driving coordinated international efforts to ensure every child has access to healthy, nutritious food at school. (AT Network)
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