Pilot run of breakfast program to begin with 25 schools

The pilot run of the State breakfast program will be launched with the beginning of the next academic year in 25 schools, says Ministry of Education.

Providing breakfast for all Maldivian school students was one of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s electoral pledges.

Speaking during a press conference this Thursday morning, Minister of Education, Dr. Aishath Ali announced the pilot run of the breakfast program will begin with 14,620 students from 25 schools.

Dr. Aishath Ali said the program will be expanded to cover all 212 schools operating in Maldives after the pilot run.

The 25 schools are; one from Male’ City, one from Vilimale’, one from Hulhumale’ and one from each atoll.

Dr. Aishath Ali said the 25 schools were selected after ranking all schools into to five categories, and includes high-population schools and low-population schools.

She said the parents will need to fill out a consent form which will include allergy and other dietary needs of students.

10 MENUS, SEPARATE BIDDING

Dr. Aishath Ali said the program will have 10 menus, which was decided on after consultation with the UNICEF.

“The breakfast menu was prepared with assistance and expertise from UNICEF,” said Dr. Aishath Ali.

She added that students will have the option to select from three menus each day.

Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Education, Mohamed Saeed said bidding to provide breakfast services will be opened later this Thursday. And said separate bids need to be prepared and submitted for each school.

“Bidding will be opened for service providers today. The service provider for this program will be selected after an open bidding process,” said Mohamed Saeed.

He said the school committees will be charged with regular checks on the hygiene and freshness of the breakfast.

MVR 50 million has been allocated in the State budget to start the breakfast program next year.