Media CenterSchool Meals Program Transitions to Government Management in more than 100 Lao Primary Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Vientiane, Laos:
Anoutta Vongladsamee
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
+856 21 419250

Oxford, England:
Ben Manser
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
+44 079 3673 9782
 

SAVANNAKHET, LAOS, Dec. 6, 2023 – The Laos National School Meals Program (NSMP) has reached a significant milestone following a ceremony to hand over management of 44 schools in Phalanxay District and 59 schools in Atsaphone District to the government. These schools successfully improved nutrition, health and education for thousands of primary school children in rural and marginalized areas by providing nutritious school meals. The schools are now equipped to manage the day-to-day operation of providing school lunches under government management, a critical step toward the sustainability of school meals well into the future.

The program is a decade-long collaboration between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Laos Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES), local communities and Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Learning and Engaging All in Primary School (LEAPS) program.

“School meals support the education system by improving education indicators and making sure that students receive a healthy meal so they can learn better in the classroom,” said Mrs. Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, a representative of MOES.

The LEAPS program has been instrumental in enhancing school children’s attendance, participation and literacy in 350 remote area schools across seven districts of Savannakhet, serving over 31 million meals to primary school students. It is funded by USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

“One of the biggest obstacles to children reaching their full academic potential is a lack of proper nourishment,” said Michelle Y. Outlaw, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Laos. “Since 2006, the U.S. has invested over $172 million to provide healthy school meals in rural areas of Laos. This has improved literacy and nutrition for thousands of school children.”

“CRS is honored to work with the MOES, supporting communities and schools as they provide healthy school meals, contributing to a better Laos today and tomorrow,” said Josh Poole, CRS’ country representative for Laos.

The ceremony concluded with a discussion on the challenges and opportunities ahead for the Lao government and local communities in their efforts to sustain and enhance the NSMP. All present reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the NSMP, aligning with the Education and Sports Sector Development Plan’s dedication to ensuring equal access to education for all.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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