School Feeding Programme in the Republic of Tajikistan: 2022-2027

  • School Feeding Programme in the Republic of Tajikistan: 2022-2027

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  • In 1999, the Government of Tajikistan and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a school feeding programme. 
  • At that time, it covered only 5,000 pupils in 22 schools. Today it feeds about 450,000 2,000 schoolchildren in schools and is the largest food support programme in Tajikistan! 
  • Since 2013, the programme has been funded by the Russian Federation, with technical support provided by the Russian Institute of Sectoral Nutrition (SIFI). 
  • Section 1: Programme Description
  • The School Feeding Programme is not only food for children, but also a contribution to their health and future! We want every student to be healthy and successful in their studies.
  • Main phases of the programme:
  • Phase 1 (2013-2016): development of programme documentation and establishment of a coordinating council.
  • Phase 2 (2017-2019): programme expansion and staff training.
  • Phase 3 (2019-2023): capacity building and launch of the Fiscal Transfer Pilot (FTP).
  • Section 2: Results and achievements
  • From 2013 to 2024, the Russian government allocated US$28.3 million to the programme. What has been achieved:
  • In 2014, an interdepartmental coordinating council on school nutrition was established, headed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
  • In February 2015, the Concept for Improving School Nutrition was approved
  • In 2016, the first action plan for the implementation of pilot projects for the development of school nutrition was implemented: 8 schools were renovated and equipped with modern equipment, and 2 inter-school bakeries were establishe
  • In 2017, the Strategy for Sustainable Development of School Feeding for the period until 2027 was approved.
  • In 2017-2018, the second action plan for the implementation of pilot projects for the development of school nutrition was fulfilled: 50 schools were renovated and equipped, 5 inter-school bakeries and 1 school canteen were established.
  • In 2019, three regional coordination councils and 29 district school nutrition councils were established.
  • In 2022, the state programme for the development of school feeding in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022-2027 was developed and approved.
  • In 2023-2024, the third action plan for the implementation of pilot projects for the development of school feeding was implemented: 50 more schools were renovated and equipped, and new canteens were built in 5 schools. Eight bakeries were established on the basis of public-private partnership
  • Two versions of the school meal recipe book were produced, one of which was recognised as the best in the categories: food safety and special jury award at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.
  • In 2023, the National Centre for School Feeding was established under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan 
  • Since 2022, the ‘Best School Cook’ competition has been held annually.
  • Twice a year, school nutrition correspondents are published in the Republic of Tajikistan to report on the progress of the project.
  • Regular activities to promote the school feeding programme and healthy lifestyles among the population: healthy eating weeks, festivals and celebrations are held in honour of the project. 
  • International School Feeding Day and World Nutrition Day. 
  • Information and educational materials are being developed: thematic board games, workbooks with tasks for children, and methodological manuals for parents and school staff.
  • Information and entertainment videos and television programmes are produced to familiarize children and parents with the principles of a healthy lifestyle and the school feeding programme.
  • The project in figures
  • Some 450,000 pupils in 2,000 schools receive a hot lunch every day. 
  • 116 schools have been renovated and equipped with modern equipment.
  • 9 schools have homestead plots
  • 7 bakeries have been built on school premises
  • 8 district bakeries have been built on the basis of public-private partnerships.
  • 13 thousand loaves of bread will be produced per day for pupils of 338 schools.
  • USD 1 million has been allocated by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for the implementation of the national school feeding programme. 
  • Every year about 3,000 children and adults take part in healthy eating events
  • Section 3: Impact on health and education
  • The school feeding programme has improved the health of our children. They receive nutritious and tasty food that helps them grow strong and healthy. Children also learn better because good nutrition helps them pay more attention to lessons.
  • Section 4: plans for the future
  • The programme will be redirected to the following functions:
  • Provision of school meals:
  • Continue to provide 450,000 children in 2,000 schools.
  • Capacity building:
  • Technical support to the government to build capacity and strengthen systems across five policy areas.
  • Activities:
  • Supporting the transition to a national school feeding programme:
  • Developing school feeding models.
  • Improving school infrastructure.
  • Establishing training centres for school cooks.
  • Using schools as platforms for programmes and activities:
  • Introducing SBCC interventions to change target behaviour among students.
  • Establishment of healthy eating centres.
  • Promoting sustainable local food systems:
  • Locally sourced school meals.
  • Increasing school revenues to provide diverse and nutritious meals.