UNICEF, Georgian Education Ministry sign deal to introduce school nutrition programme

The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, and UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil, signed a memorandum of cooperation on Wednesday to take steps to promote the introduction of the School Nutrition Programme for students in Georgian schools.

The agreement said that the National Center for Education Quality Development of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers, alongside UNICEF, will work together on the issue of the School Nutrition Programme.

UNICEF Georgia suggested that a specially created inter-agency working group would analyse the world practices of School Nutrition Programmes, conduct a situational analysis and assess the current situation in order to identify local infrastructural and logistical needs.

The parties will also develop possible school nutrition models and quality standards, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and healthy nutrition curriculum.

The document also envisaged the conducting a large-scale campaign to raise awareness about the School Nutrition Programme.