Governmental Decree No. 102 validating the Concept of improving school feeding in general education institutions of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Concept of improving school feeding in general education institutions of the Republic of Tajikistan is a multi-sectoral policy document elaborated by the Interdepartmental Coordination Council on the development of the "School Feeding Concept in the Republic of Tajikistan" with the assistance of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and technical support of the non-governmental organization "Institute of Sectoral Nutrition" (Russian Federation) within the framework of the WFP Development Project 200120 "Facilitating Access to Education for Children in Vulnerable Situations". Originator of the Concept is the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Concept establishes the goals, main directions, tasks and mechanisms of implementation of the state policy of the Republic of Tajikistan in the sphere of school feeding development. It is the basis for the development and implementation of school feeding activities and takes into account the importance of providing students with healthy nutrition for the development of educational potential, ensuring food security, improving well-being of the population, as well as socio-economic development of the country. The provisions of the Concept shall be taken into account in the development of national programs of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of education, health care, improvement of the welfare of the population and development of the agro-industrial complex.
The decline in national income from exports caused by the crisis in the world economy, dependence on food imports and insufficient development of the system of social support for vulnerable population endanger the food security of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as hinder the solution of problems of socio-economic development. Despite the intensive development of the agricultural sector, the Republic of Tajikistan continues to import a significant part of the foodstuffs, including those necessary for the organization of school feeding.
School feeding currently covers 355,000 children studying in 2,000 rural primary schools in 52 districts of Tajikistan. Within the framework of the WFP program are supplied foodstuffs (flour, legumes, vegetable oil and salt) with the simultaneous contribution of parents and local executive authorities in terms of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs and partial payment of fuel costs, cooks' salaries and bread baking.
At present, although school feeding is not defined as a separate area of state policy of the Republic of Tajikistan, its legal framework is stable. In order to improve the current state of school feeding in the Republic of Tajikistan, this Concept includes recommendations for the development and implementation of short-, medium- and long-term programs through the National School Feeding Strategy and a set of measures involving all relevant sectors of the Government and civil society, as well as partners. Improvement of school feeding shall include the following arrangements: (a) development of an appropriate legal and regulatory framework in order to ensure compliance with international standards on nutrient availability and food preparation, as well as determination of financing and investment of the School Feeding Program from public and private sources; (b) modernization of food processing units and canteens in general education institutions in order to ensure compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards, in particular water supply, as well as the efficient use of equipment, fuel and human resources; (c) close cooperation between the agricultural sector and school feeding with a view of strengthening the agricultural development of the Republic of Tajikistan and increase the share of local foodstuffs and finished products purchased and produced for the School Feeding Program; this will include the development and standardization of the school farms existing in 30% of the general education institutions participating in the program; and (d) establishing a sustainable management and monitoring system for the School Feeding Program in order to expand and institutionalize the mechanisms used for the current Program; in addition to the overall management of the School Feeding Program, this structure will allow for data collection and research on organizational issues, program coverage, diets, food sources and the development of public-private partnerships.
The main objectives of the Concept shall be as follows: (a) development of a State and sustainable national school feeding program with maximum coverage in order to facilitate the achievement of the objectives in the following sectors: education (quality of education, inclusion, attendance), social protection (especially for the most vulnerable persons), nutrition; (b) in the context of economic and physical constraints, the creation of the School Feeding Program in accordance with international standards on the quality, quantity and diversity of nutrition, which contributes to improving the health of students in the Republic of Tajikistan; (c) contribution to sustainable development, growth and competitiveness of the agro-industrial sector of the Republic of Tajikistan through the manufacturing of high quality agricultural commodities and stimulation of food markets; and (d) contribution to the country capacity of the Republic of Tajikistan and protection from internal and external threats to food security.
In order to achieve the aforesaid objectives, shall be required the solution of the following tasks: (a) development of an appropriate regulatory framework for the National School Feeding Program to establish an effective management and monitoring system for the Program and to maintain qualitative and quantitative standards of control over nutrition, hygiene and services; (b) development of a budget framework, taking into account financial support from the public and private sectors, including local, national and international sources, capable of ensuring the financial sustainability of the School Feeding Program; (c) development of the potential of local food production related to the School Feeding Program, including modernization of processing and distribution infrastructure based on modern technologies; (d) supporting and strengthening the cooperation of partners at local, national and international levels in order to increase the level of cooperation, diversify sources of funding and increase the opportunities for application of best practices for the implementation and management of the Program; and (e) promoting the concept of healthy school feeding at all levels, including civil society.