A new UNESCO report highlights the importance of school meals for children’s health and learning. While many students now have access to school meals, the nutritional value of the products used is not sufficiently emphasized.
UNESCO advocates for the use of healthier and more nutritious foods, as well as the integration of nutrition education into school curricula.
In 2024, approximately one-quarter of the world’s students benefited from school meals, and this figure reached 47% in primary schools. As demonstrated by a 2023 UNESCO study, this approach not only helps reduce undernutrition among children but also promotes learning: school meals increase enrollment rates by 9% and attendance by 8%, while also improving students’ academic performance.
