The Viet Nam Women’s Union (VWU) Central Committee, in coordination with the Dak Lak PPC, recently held a programme to support “School Nutrition Meals” at Y Ngong Nie Kdam Primary and Lower Secondary School in Dak Phoi Commune.

At the programme, Ms. Le Thi Thuy, VWU President, and Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of General Secretary along with State President To Lam, representing the delegation, symbolically presented funding support for the “School Nutrition Meals” programme to the principals of Y Ngong Nie Kdam Primary and Lower Secondary School in Dak Phoi Commune together with Vo Thi Sau Primary School in Phu Xuan Commune.

The VWU delegation and Dak Lak provincial leaders posing for a group photo with students.

The “School Nutrition Meals” programme aims to improve students’ nutritional status and enhance their physical fitness coupled with stature. In addition to providing lunch and afternoon snacks, the programme focuses on nutrition education, encouraging physical activity while helping students develop healthy eating habits.

For the 2026 - 2027 academic year, TH Group has provided a total of 4 billion VND to implement the “School Nutrition Meals” programme for students at the two schools in Dak Lak Province, which is one of three provinces selected to receive support.

The programme builds on experience gained from the pilot model, “School Meals with Reasonable Nutrition Combined with Increased Physical Activity for Vietnamese Children and Students”, initiated by TH Group in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health during the 2020 - 2021 academic year across 10 provinces coupled with cities.

Addressing the programme, Ms. Le Thi Thuy, VWU President, emphasised that mobilising social resources for the programme would help provide student welfare, particularly those in disadvantaged areas. She also called on the school to ensure meals were nutritious and met food safety requirements, while strengthening coordination with parents to monitor meal quality.

The Provincial Party Secretary, comrade Luong Nguyen Minh Triet expressed his gratitude to Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, the VWU Central Committee and TH Group. Dak Lak Province will direct relevant agencies, the education sector alongside local authorities to ensure that the funding is used for its intended purposes transparently and effectively. The province will also strengthen food safety controls at every stage, from selection along with procurement to preparation and serving, to prevent food safety incidents.

The Provincial Party Secretary called on the school, parents and the community to continue working together to monitor meal quality as well as mobilise resources to sustain the programme over the long term.

Working with parents to provide meals for students in disadvantaged areas

As part of the programme, the delegation visited classrooms, interacted with students in the “Reading Corner”, presented books and joined the children in writing messages while sharing their dreams.

School principal Phan Anh Tuan said that since the introduction of the “School Nutrition Meals” programme, students had been able to have lunch and remain there for afternoon classes. This has reduced travel time, made it easier for them to study and participate in school activities and helped the school maintain student enrolment.

Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly together with Ms. Le Thi Thuy, VWU President, having lunch with students at Y Ngong Nie Kdam Primary and Lower Secondary School in Dak Phoi Commune.

After observing the school and having lunch with students, delegation members recommended that the school develop a scientific, phased approach to adjusting students’ eating habits to ensure balanced nutrition, while working with parents to develop menus.

Providing school meals involves more than financial support and food supplies. It also teaches students how to select, store alongside combine different foods to prepare nutritionally adequate and balanced meals. This helps establish healthy eating habits, protect their health as well as improve their learning quality.

Translated by KHUONG THAO