Minister Fahie Highlights Benefits of a Lunch Programme

Managing Director of Biz Com Ed. Consulting Ltd. Mrs. Judith Vanterpool speaks to the media at a press conference held on October 6

Highlighting the benefits at a recent press conference, Honourable Fahie said like other countries which subscribe to lunch programmes Government intends to eliminate hunger, malnutrition and provide a nutritious diet.  “It is important for the BVI to curb the large number of students who leave the school campus during the lunch hour,” the Minister said.

He added, “This leads to the students getting back to school late and getting into negative social behaviours that are quite undesirable of students.”

The Minister announced that the benefits of this programme are to provide a nutritious and wellbalanced meal which will help to reduce obesity and other related diseases and improve mental alertness and concentration.  “This will help us to reduce many health problems and will have a domino effect on improving our society health wise,” he said.

Additionally, the programme will also help to reduce or eliminate the late return of students to school after lunch and the possibility of students being involved in accidents during lunch time.

Minister Fahie said the Ministry has to do its part to ensure that all the facilities that are needed to keep the students on the school compound are in place.  “The Ministry has acquired the services of Biz Com Ed. Consulting Ltd to do a feasibility study to identify the needed resources and ensure that all the necessary resources are in place to guarantee the success of this initiative,” Honourable Fahie said.  ~~Adz:Right~~
 
Permanent Secretary Mrs. Sheila Brathwaite said she is very happy with the launching of this initiative.  “I look forward with a lot of pride to what this initiative will bring forward for our children who are our future and we have to take care of them in every aspect,” she said.

Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcia Potter said she is content with the fact that they were moving ahead with the school lunch programme.  “I am very happy that we are getting something on target so that we can have our students in our schools benefiting from a more nutritious lunch as well as be able to keep them within our school grounds, making sure that they are safe,” Dr. Potter said.

Managing Director of Biz Com Ed. Consulting Ltd. Mrs. Judith Vanterpool thanked the Government for affording her with this opportunity and commended Minister Fahie for his vision.   “It is clear today that the Minister of Education and Culture is interested in providing appetizing wholesome meals for our teenagers, while simultaneously increasing their appetites for more learning on the school campus during lunch breaks,” Mrs. Vanterpool said.

“As a former teacher I support this initiative and feel that this change will be beneficial to all stakeholders,” she added. The programme will be implemented upon completion of the eight-month feasibility study and as soon as the required resources are put in place.

The mission of the Ministry of Education and Culture is to provide high quality education and rehabilitative services, as well as, to facilitate access to and participation in sports, recreation and culture, in order to enrich the lives of all residents of the Virgin Islands.