A new UNESCO report has sounded the
alarm on the nutritional shortcomings of school meals, exposing a glaring gap
in global education and health policies. While nearly half of primary school
pupils worldwide received school meals in 2024, the agency warns that the
nutritional quality of these meals remains a major concern. This raises a
critical question: are we truly nourishing our children, or merely feeding
them?
The importance of school meals cannot
be overstated. Proper nutrition is directly linked to cognitive development,
concentration, and overall academic performance. The UNESCO report highlights
that school meal programs boost enrolment rates by 9% and attendance by 8%,
reinforcing their role in ensuring educational access. Yet, the fact that 27%
of these meals are designed without any input from nutritionists is alarming.
It suggests a systemic failure in prioritizing the health of schoolchildren,
especially when childhood obesity has more than doubled globally since 1990,
while food insecurity continues to rise.
Despite the widespread implementation
of school meal programmes, only 93 out of 187 evaluated countries have any form
of legislation or guidance on the food served in schools. Even more concerning,
regulations on the sale of processed foods in school cafeterias and vending
machines are virtually absent in most nations. This regulatory vacuum has
allowed unhealthy, ultra-processed foods—often high in sugar, salt, and
unhealthy fats—to dominate school menus. The consequences are dire: a rise in
lifestyle diseases, poor academic performance, and an ingrained culture of
unhealthy eating from a young age.
UNESCO’s call for using fresh,
locally produced foods in school meals is a commendable step toward addressing
this crisis. Not only would this approach improve the quality of meals, but it
would also support local farmers, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce
the carbon footprint associated with imported and processed foods. Countries
that have already adopted such policies—like Japan, where balanced and
nutritious school meals are a government priority—have demonstrated the
long-term benefits of integrating nutrition into education.
Another crucial recommendation from
the report is the inclusion of food education in school curricula. Educating
children about nutrition, food sources, and healthy eating habits is an
investment in future generations. Countries must make food literacy as
essential as mathematics or science. Teaching children to make informed dietary
choices can help combat both malnutrition and the rising tide of obesity.
Governments must act decisively.
Expanding access to school meals is not enough—ensuring their nutritional value
is just as vital. Strict regulations on school meals, vending machines, and
cafeteria food sales must be implemented and enforced. Collaboration with
nutritionists should be mandatory, not optional. Moreover, UNESCO’s proposed
training programmes and practical manuals should be adopted globally to
standardize and improve school nutrition policies.
