A school meal or school lunch (also known as hot lunch, a school dinner, or school breakfast) is a meal, typically in the middle or beginning of the school day, provided to students at school. Countries all over the world have various kinds of school meal programmes. Millions of children from all standards and grades get their meals at their respective schools every day. Scientifically and medically, school meals are regarded as an essential component of children's upbringing and growth. School meals provide high-energy food with high nutritional values for free, or at economical rates.

The benefits of school meals vary from country to country. While in developed countries the school meal is a source of nutritious meals, in developing countries it is an incentive to send children to school and continue their education. In developing countries, school meals provide food security at times of crisis and help children to become healthy and productive adults, thus breaking the cycle of poverty and hunger. In all cases, school meals allow children to focus on their studies, without hunger as a distraction.

Free school meals

Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, andEstonia are among the few countries which provide free school meals to all pupils incompulsory education, regardless of their ability to pay. Many governments in developing countries are increasingly using free school meals to improve attendance rates and reduce malnutrition.

In high-income countries, free school meals are usually available to children who meet income-based criteria. (The exception is Australia, where free school meals are not available).

In South Korea, free school meals are provided in most schools in most provinces. However, regions such as South Gyeongsang Province recently withdrew their free school meal policy. For other provinces or districts, free school meals are provided in elementary schools. However, for middle schools and high schools in some regions, free meal is not provided because of the local government's annual budget.

Reduced price meals

Reduced price meals are also available in some countries to those who need a degree of assistance with costs. Lower-cost meals are available to students in such countries as the Republic of Ireland, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States.

Nigeria

In April 2012, the State of Osun in Nigeriapioneered a statewide school meals programme for all public elementary school pupils. It is called the O'Meals programme (anacronym for the Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme). As of July 2014, it was providing lunch to over 252,000 children in 100% of Osun's elementary schools. In addition to staples such as rice, beans, and yams served with stews, soups, and vegetables, the programme provides daily fruits. Its estimated cost is N50 (USD $0.31) per child per day.

According to a report on O'Meals' benefits:

“Within four weeks of the O'Meals launch, school enrollment increase[d] by approximately 25%. According to the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics July 2013 edition, Osun has the highest primary school enrollment rates in Nigeria – a feat largely attributable to O'Meals. [Additionally,] O'Meals promotes and boosts income generation opportunities, particularly for women. To date, the program has economically empowered over 3,000 previously unemployed women by hiring them as food vendors[.]”

All food items are sourced locally from farmers and others on the supply chain, enhancing employment within the state. Addressing child malnutrition has raised students' academic performance, and has increased school enrollment by 24% compared to figures from before April 2012.

In 2015, the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) advocated for the adoption of a nationwide free meal plan. Since he became President, Muhammadu Buhari has made the implementation of this policy one of his foremost priorities. A national School Meals programme is the subject of a budgetary proposal before the National Assembly. Also, the government of Kaduna State has implemented a school feeding programme.

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With #500 a month per child I would feed those kids decent meals plus fruits.Naigeria government can make it happen by raising funds from charity organisations or increasing tax a little.

delishpot:
With #500 a month per child I would feed those kids decent meals plus fruits. Naigeria government can make it happen by raising funds from charity organisations or increasing tax a little.

ha ha boda!

Na rabbit pikin you wan feed?

Tolexander:
ha ha boda!

Na rabbit pikin you wan feed?

For real. Not Joking. That is what is finishing Nigeria. Over inflated bill. But if you feel it's too small, make it 1k per month and they will feed like princes and princesses.
It is the advantage of bulk purchases and using some healthy alternatives to expensive ingredients.

delishpot:



For real. Not Joking. That is what is finishing Nigeria. Over inflated bill. But if you feel it's too small, make it 1k per month and they will feed like princes and princesses.
It is the advantage of bulk purchases and using some healthy alternatives to expensive ingredients.

yes so