Free Lunches Boost School Attendance
The Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies recently conducted a study on the impact of free meals in primary schools on children’s attendance and health. The study involved 40 schools and over 4,000 children in grades 1-4, as well as their parents and teachers in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region. These regions have implemented free meals for primary school students, and the survey results indicated that the program was considered satisfactory.
As part of the project to assess the child well-being index in Uzbekistan, a sociological survey was conducted with over 2,000 households and 3,000 children from all regions of the republic. The results of the survey revealed a connection between the free meals program and children’s school attendance, with a hypothetical 8% increase in attendance rates due to the provision of free lunches.
The study also highlighted the importance of healthy eating habits in maintaining children’s health and improving their performance in school. Based on the findings and the experiences of other countries and pilot regions in Uzbekistan, the IMRS experts offered several recommendations, including revising the diet of free school meals, organizing kitchen or dining areas in schools, and ensuring compliance with nutritional standards.
Overall, the study emphasized the positive impact of free meals in schools on children’s well-being and academic performance. By implementing the recommended strategies, Uzbekistan can further improve the health and educational outcomes of its young population.
