'No meal at schools until 2028 in the Child Action Plan by the Ministry'

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The Republican People's Party (CHP) Poverty Solidarity Office prepared a report on "Free School Meals," referring to student and child poverty, two weeks before the schools re-open.

In the report prepared by Hacer Foggo, Elif Göçmen, Melek Bahat, Sinem Demirel, and Aleyna Yıldırım, it is stated that a "Healthy and Balanced Free School Meals Program" should be urgently implemented.

Children experiencing inadequate and unhealthy nutrition

"Observations made in schools and community studies during the 2022-2023 academic year, as well as the research carried out, indicate that a significant portion of children, from preschool students to university students, are increasingly experiencing inadequate and unhealthy nutrition.

"One of the most important reasons for the urgent implementation of the School Meals Program is the increasing rates of obesity, stunting, and especially anemia in children in our country, as revealed by research. It has also been found in studies that children from families living below the poverty line not being able to provide proper nutrition is a significant reason for children wanting to drop out of school. The School Meals Program is the most crucial method to prevent school dropout and absenteeism."

The report highlights the Turkey 2023-2028 Children's Rights Strategy Document and Action Plan published by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, reminding that the goal of "widening the provision of nutrition services offered for free in pre-school education programs" will continue as a continuous service for 5 years. However, the Action Plan does not mention any free "School Meals" project for primary and secondary schools.

(AS/PE)