In an effort to deal with the rising number of school children who are facing malnutrition, the ministry of Education in Greece will start the provision of light meals in schools from next week.
According to Education vice minister Evi Christophilopoulou, the implementation of the program will begin in 18 schools, mostly in western Attica (Avlona, Nikaia, Moschato, Aspropyrgos, Vathis Square, Patissia, Keratsini, Menidi, Tavros and Exarchia) where most cases of starvation of small children have been identified.
She noted that in some schools where there are many immigrant children, it was revealed that 80 to 90 per cent of students are experiencing malnutrition.
The meals will include milk, cereal-biscuits and fruits, and as Christophilopoulou said “the program will expand to other schools in a way that will not stigmatise the children.”
She added that “we have already come into contact with the canteens of more than these 18 schools. The cost for the ministry will be 1 to 2 euros depending on the number of meals and will be funded by the NSRF.”
She also added that she is engaging in discussions with the secretary for Health Markos Bolaris in an effort to address the issue of “child poverty”.
