DepEd reports 300% increase in 2007 feeding program
The school feeding program of the Department of Education registered a 300 percent increase in 2007.
This was disclosed by the DepEd in its 2007 performance report, noting that from 676,740 pre-school and grade I pupils in year 2006, the beneficiaries has increased to 2.7 million last year.
Having covered only pre-school and grade I pupils in 2006, the program was expanded in 2007 to cover pre-schoolers and Grade I to 6 pupils, the DepEd report disclosed.
The pupils and teachers have also availed of a comprehensive medical and dental treatment which supplemented the distribution of fortified rice, milk, biscuits and breakfast items to children below the normal nutritional status, Secretary Jesli Lapus said as he emphasized the "department concerns itself not only with the school children's academic performance, but also with their physical condition and well-being."
"We are cognizant of how their nutritional status directly affects their performance in school," Secretary Lapus said.
The DepEd 2007 Performance report also noted that malnutrition incidence dropped from 21% in 2006 to 17% in 2007, and school attendance improved from 90% in 2006 to 95% in 2007. (PIA/T.Villavert)