Beginning in September, all students in grades 1 to 11 across Ukraine will receive free school meals, according to a statement from Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Svyrydenko announced that the initiative will ensure that every student in these grades has access to hot lunches at no cost. The government has allocated 14.4 million hryvnias for this program, which also includes funding for the modernization of school cafeterias to enhance the quality of meals provided.
“We expect regional military administrations and local government bodies to establish processes for organizing hot meals with the involvement of local businesses,” she added.
In addition to the meal program, Svyrydenko noted that 5 billion hryvnias will be designated for creating safe shelters in schools, with an additional 1 billion hryvnias allocated for underground kindergartens, particularly in frontline regions.
“We must create safe conditions for offline or blended learning for Ukrainian children. Regional military administrations must oversee the timely execution of construction plans,” the Prime Minister explained.
Starting in September, Ukraine will implement a program providing free meals to all students in grades 1 through 11, supported by significant government funding. The initiative aims to enhance both meal accessibility and safety in schools, especially in frontline areas.