Government expands school nutrition program covering 1.4 million students

Colombo, Sep 16 (Daily Mirror) - The government’s national school nutrition program is now being implemented across all 100 education zones in every province, with Rs. 32 billion allocated for 2025 to support the initiative.

Currently, 1.4 million students from 8,943 schools are benefitting from the program, which aims to foster a healthy and active generation by addressing nutritional deficiencies, encouraging good eating habits, and strengthening the country’s local food culture.

Implemented since 2006, the program follows several criteria in selecting schools. All students in schools with fewer than 100 pupils, all primary students from grades 1 to 5, students in special education schools or units, as well as lay and monastic students in selected Pirivenas, are automatically eligible. In addition, students from grades 6 to 13 are included based on nutritional assessments and needs.

Meals are served between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. during the first hour of school. Each child receives a daily meal valued at Rs. 110, ensuring children—many of whom miss breakfast at home—receive adequate and nutritious food to begin their school day.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya approved doubling the program’s allocation compared to last year, at the request of the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

The program is monitored by Public Health Inspectors of the Ministry of Health, alongside Zonal and Divisional Education Directors, Teacher Advisors, Principals, and Teachers, to ensure that safe, nutritious meals reach every eligible student without discrimination.