School Feeding Programme in the Republic of Tajikistan: 2022-2027
-
SIGNING OF THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE AND THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME July 25, 2025, a signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan to formalize the Technical Assistance Agreement between the Ministry and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This agreement aims to support the sustainable and seamless transition of the school feeding programme to national ownership, while also enhancing the management capacity within this vital social sector. The agreement was signed by Mr. Rahim Saidzoda, Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Mr. Adham Musallam, Representative and Country Director of the UN World Food Programme in Tajikistan. In his opening remarks, Minister Saidzoda expressed appreciation for WFP’s continued support, noting that approximately 2,000 general education institutions currently benefit from the provision of high-quality food products, ensuring healthy nutrition for primary school students. He emphasized that school nutrition remains a priority for the Government of Tajikistan, as reflected in the ongoing implementation of the State Programme for the Development of School Nutrition in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022–2027. Mr. Musallam highlighted the strong and effective collaboration between WFP and the Ministry, stating that the newly signed agreement marks a significant step forward in ensuring access to nutritious meals for children across the country. The UN World Food Programme remains a key strategic partner in the education sector and plays a vital role in the implementation of social programmes, including school feeding initiatives. Press Centre of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan4054
25.07.2025
-
REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME: STRONG COOPERATION OF THE MINISTRY WITH THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) On May 2, 2025, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan between Deputy Minister of Education and Science Badriddin Muzaffarzoda and the Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Tajikistan, Adham Mussallam. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister emphasized that school feeding is one of the country's key social sectors, contributing to the improvement of children's health and the development of their intellectual capacities. It was noted that the State Programme for the Development of School Feeding for the period of 2022–2027 aims to improve the quality of food in general educational institutions, which achieved remarkable results with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and effective cooperation with WFP. The WFP Director in Tajikistan, in turn, expressed gratitude for the fruitful cooperation between the UN World Food Programme and the Ministry of Education and Science. He stated that under the new phase (2025–2028), the programme will further expand. According to him, in 2025, about 50 schools will be equipped with the necessary kitchen equipment and 40 schools will be supported with income-generating activities such as greenhouses and beekeeping. Both parties expressed their readiness to further expand the programme across the country and strengthen local capacity in the field of school feeding. In addition, they specifically stressed the need for an active engagement of the local authorities and parents to ensure successful implementation of the programme. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen bilateral cooperation and ensure better conditions for healthy nutrition for schoolchildren throughout the country. Press Center The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan6225
02.05.2025
-
School Nutrition Supply under the School Nutrition Program On April 8, 2025, in the village of Navobod, Rudomad district, a ceremony took place for the delivery of school food products as part of the "State Program for the Development of School Nutrition for 2022-2027." The event was attended by Muzaffarzoda Badriddin, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, Vera Valeryevna Khotorskaya, Advisor and Representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Tajikistan, Adham Musallam, Representative and Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Tajikistan, as well as representatives from other interested organizations. The Deputy Minister of Education and Science noted that the mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan, the Russian Federation, and the FAO of the United Nations is an important and sustainable direction in the country’s social policy. He also emphasized that ensuring food security and providing the population with access to quality food is one of the strategic goals of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, for which effective measures are continuously being implemented. Then, Vera Valeryevna highlighted that successful cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of food security and educational development strengthens bilateral and international relations. She added that the development of school nutrition and rational access to healthy food is a manifestation of Russia's responsibility and its consistent support for important and strategic food projects. Adham Musallam also emphasized that the FAO continues to support countries, including Tajikistan, in ensuring food security and improving schoolchildren's nutrition. The implementation of such programs is of great importance for human capital development and improving the quality of life in communities, especially among children, and plays a key role in strengthening partnership ties. Considering the importance of healthy nutrition for national development and improving public health, it was noted that since 2022, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, funding for the organization of hot meals in public educational institutions has begun through the state budget. As part of the school nutrition program, aimed at providing students with quality and healthy food, the Russian Federation will first deliver 270 tons of enriched flour to educational institutions across the country. The food products will be delivered in the near future to educational institutions in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, as well as the Sughd and Khatlon regions and cities and districts of republican subordination. In conclusion, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science noted that the school nutrition sector is one of the priority social directions of the state and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, and the Ministry of Education and Science, in cooperation with the FAO, is taking necessary measures for its sustainable development. Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan’s Press Center5659
08.04.2025
