SOME 780 undernourished pupils from five selected public elementary schools across the country are set to benefit from a supplemental feeding and nutrition program by the Department of Education in partnership with condiments manufacturer Nutri-Asia, Inc.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the feeding program offered by Nutri-Asia would result to improved school attendance and better school performance for students who often go to school on an empty stomach.
“There is a direct correlation between learning and nutrition as evidenced by many studies and actual situation we observe in public schools,” added Luistro.
Students who are poorly nourished have a hard time focusing on the lesson, and eventually resort to absenteeism and dropping out of the rolls.
The supplemental feeding and nutrition program will be implemented within a period of six consecutive months to fight malnutrition and nourish back to health undernourished pupils. The program beneficiaries are Bagong Ilog Elementary School in Bagong Ilog, Pasig, Banay-banay Elementary School in Cabuyao, Laguna and Lias Elementary School in Marilao, Bulacan.
The same program will also be replicated in Subangdaku Elementary School in Mandaue City, Cebu and Quimpo Elementary School in Davao City.
The Nutri-Asia Gabay Kalusugan feeding and nutrition program falls under the Adopt-a-School Program of DepEd where the private sector is enjoined to help fill the gaps in education resources.
The feeding program will also enlist the participation of the parents who will cook and serve the food to the students.
