Headline: Government Officials Address Funding Challenges for National School Nutrition Program
Subheading: Efforts Underway to Secure Resources for Broader Student Coverage
In a recent development concerning the National School Milk Program, government officials have clarified the current status and ongoing efforts to ensure its effective implementation. The program, a key initiative for student welfare, is facing logistical challenges related to budget allocation.
Dr. Seyed Hassan Emami-Razavi, the Secretary of the Supreme Council for Health and Food Security, explained that the primary challenge lies in aligning the program’s ambitious coverage goals with the budget designated by the Planning and Budget Organization. He stated that insufficient funding currently prevents the program from reaching its entire target student population.
A Focus on Prioritization
Dr. Emami-Razavi elaborated that, based on a clause in the budget law, the program is mandated to prioritize coverage for students in underprivileged areas. However, the initial plan defined a much larger target demographic. “If the School Milk Program is implemented only in underprivileged areas, it means we have covered only a quarter of the target population,” he noted. He further emphasized that active efforts are being made to secure the necessary resources to expand coverage to all designated regions.
Imminent Rollout and Implementation Details
In related news, Dr. Ahmad Ismailzadeh, Director of the Community Nutrition Improvement Office at the Ministry of Health, provided a concrete timeline. Speaking at a World Food Day conference, he announced that the distribution of milk in schools is scheduled to commence within the next two weeks.
Regarding the program’s frequency, Dr. Ismailzadeh clarified that while the program’s scientific committee recommended distribution three times per week, the final decision has been delegated to the Ministry of Education. This allows the Ministry to make a practical decision—whether two or three times per week—based on the final allocated budget for the initiative. He confirmed that, given the current resources, distribution is expected to proceed twice weekly.
The government’s coordinated approach highlights a commitment to resolving funding mechanisms to ensure this vital nutritional program meets its objectives for the nation’s schoolchildren.