The Education Directorate is to provide free meals to students at five of the ACT’s public schools as part of a launch of a pilot program.
Announced by the Minister for Education, Yvette Berry, the Meals in Schools pilot is to provide students with free breakfast and lunch three days a week.
“We know our children and young people learn best on a full stomach,” Ms Berry said.
“National and international research shows that students benefit from access to healthy and nutritious food at school,” she said.
“It improves students’ learning and wellbeing, gives them a better understanding of nutrition and increases their satisfaction with school.”
Ms Berry said Gilmore Primary School, Richardson Primary School, Narrabundah Early Childhood School, Gold Creek School (high school campus) and Melba Copland Secondary School senior campus (years 10-12) would take part in the pilot.
In a statement, the Directorate said the five schools were selected based on several factors including student population, location and educational setting to capture a broad representation of ACT public schools.
Ms Berry said the pilot’s roll out would start from Term 3 this year and would run for 18 months.
“Teachers, students, parents and carers will have the opportunity over the next few months to help design delivery of the pilot in their school, to ensure it meets the needs of their school community,” the Minister said.
“We anticipate there will be a range of different food delivery models,” she said.
“For example, a grab-and-go option may work better for senior students.”
Ms Berry said an independent evaluation process would track student uptake, the impact of free school meals on student satisfaction and the effectiveness of food delivery.
