Olena Zelenska Reviews School Nutrition Reform Implementation in Volyn Region

In a recent visit to the Volyn region, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska conducted a review of the school nutrition reform implementation. Accompanied by officials from the Regional Military Administration, Ministry of Education and Science, school nutrition reform team, and the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative, Zelenska visited three educational institutions to assess the progress made in upgrading kitchen facilities.

The visit commenced at Dubove Lyceum, showcasing an innovative model of school nutrition organization known as a hub kitchen. Through state subvention funds, the village council modernized the kitchen facility to provide meals not only for the lyceum but also for three other educational institutions. Zelenska also visited the gymnasium in Oblapy, where due to economic constraints, a full-scale kitchen installation was not feasible. However, the school nutrition reform ensures that the 90 students receive hot lunches daily.

Expressing the importance of improving school conditions, Zelenska urged educational institutions to utilize state subventions to enhance their kitchen facilities for better nutrition standards. Additionally, she visited the Volyn Regional Lyceum with Enhanced Military and Physical Training, emphasizing the role of the school nutrition reform in supporting students who choose a path of service in Ukraine’s defense.

During a working meeting, it was reported that seven educational institutions in the region would undergo full modernization of kitchen facilities and canteens by the year’s end. Since 2020, 270 kitchen facilities have been upgraded, with two culinary hubs operational and additional training provided for cooks. The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative, Ministry of Education and Science, and the reform team are implementing an integrity project to monitor state subvention usage, ensuring transparency and accountability in the reform process.

Zelenska highlighted the necessity of a systematic approach to monitoring expenditures and risks within the reform, stating that without proper oversight, the reform cannot succeed. The ongoing efforts in Volyn reflect a commitment to improving nutrition standards in educational institutions and ensuring the well-being of students across the region.