What if a school could do more than teach children in the classroom? What if it could also shape what they eat, encourage healthier choices, and even grow some of the food they serve? Across Bhutan, some schools are finding their own ways to make this happen. From growing vegetables to raising awareness about junk food, these initiatives show how schools can influence what children eat.
For students, the school day comes with lessons, activities, and of course, mealtimes.
But what ends up on their plate matters too.
From the food served in school kitchens to the choices students make during the day, schools have an opportunity to shape eating habits that can last beyond the classroom.
At Damphu Central School in Tsirang, meals are prepared with students’ food preferences in mind, while ensuring variety in their daily diet.
Suk Bdr. Layo Monger, a cook at Damphu Central School, says most students prefer chicken, while boys tend to prefer pork. The school also serves eggs and milk regularly.
At Ridaza Primary School in Monggar, the school changes its menu frequently to keep students interested in their meals.
Sangay Wangdi, a teacher at the school, says students become tired of eating the same meals repeatedly. While students enjoy fruits, she says they are difficult to obtain during the off-season.
The school also consults parents when students avoid certain types of meat to understand whether their preferences are linked to health reasons or personal choices, according to Principal Singye.
For students, school meals have also influenced their eating habits.
Keshab Bhandari, the mess captain at Damphu Central School, says students look forward to meals that include meat. He adds that the school provides more organic food and purchases vegetables from its agriculture programme.
Kinzang Pema Wangmo, the school captain at Ridaza Primary School, says students receive meat more frequently at school than at home.
Beyond the food served, schools are also encouraging students to make healthier choices.
At Chumey Central School in Bumthang, teachers raise awareness about the effects of junk food and check students at the school entrance to ensure they do not bring junk food onto the campus.
Some schools are also growing their own vegetables through agriculture programmes.
Sonam Dorji, a teacher at Genekha Primary School in Thimphu, says growing vegetables helps schools become more self-sufficient and reduces their reliance on outside supplies.
He says school agriculture programmes also allow schools to grow vegetables organically.
Meal planning, however, requires schools to consider food availability, students’ preferences and individual dietary needs.
Hari Prasad Pokhrel, Nutrition Specialist at the Ministry of Health, says a school feeding technical committee works on technical decisions, including revising school menus and developing guidelines.
However, implementing these guidelines across the country remains difficult.
Sangay Chophel, Chief Programme Officer at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, says orienting more than 500 schools is a challenge. The ministry works through district education officers and school principals to support implementation.
While policies and guidelines are in place, he says, implementation at the school level remains a challenge.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Sonam Pem
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙐𝙉𝙄𝘾𝙀𝙁.
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