Mar 18, Colombo: The Ministry of Education has released over Rs. 814 million to the provincial education departments for the implementation of the midday school meal program for the month of January 2023.

The Ministry of Education has also instructed to double the number of 1.1 million children who have received lunch so far from the next school term.

Accordingly, arrangements will be made to provide lunch for 51 percent of all school children, and all provincial education directors have already been notified about this information, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education.

Rice, lentils and salmon as well as cooking oil have been provided under the World Food Program and American aid, and steps have been taken to include rice in the meals given to children five days a week.

Arrangements have been made to double the number of 1.1 million children who have been given lunch so far from the next school term and accordingly provide lunch to 51 percent of all school children.

The meal program aims to create a tendency to increase children’s attendance at school, encourage healthy eating habits and provide children with a balanced diet, maintain the physical and mental health of schoolchildren at an appropriate level, as well as enabling schoolchildren to engage in educational activities in a more optimal manner with proper attention in the classroom.