Government plans to fund meals at more than 280 schools
The plan aims to keep meals available to students when World Food Programme support ends.
Friday 6 November · 06:02 · 1 min read
In 30 seconds
- The government says it is preparing to take over meal costs at more than 280 schools supported by the World Food Programme. [1]
- The programme covered 1,114 schools and about 300,000 students in 2026, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet. [1]
- The World Food Programme is expected to end its funding for those schools within two years, while the government is also studying possible expansion. [1]
What happened
Prime Minister Hun Manet said the government is preparing to pay for school meals at more than 280 schools currently supported by the World Food Programme (WFP). He said WFP plans to end that funding within two years, as it shifts resources to other activities. The government says it will take over the costs so the programme can continue, and is studying whether to expand it.
Why it matters
If the plan goes ahead, students at the affected schools can continue receiving school meals after WFP funding ends. The government says meals support children’s health and ability to learn.
Background
The school meal programme began in 1999 through cooperation between the government and WFP, initially involving 64 schools. In 2026 it covered 1,114 schools and about 300,000 students; the government already funded more than 800 of those schools.
Key terms
- World Food Programme (WFP)
- A United Nations agency that works on food assistance.
- School meal programme
- A programme that provides food or nutrition support to students at school.
Timeline
- 1999 The school meal programme began with 64 schools, through government and WFP cooperation.
- November 3, 2026 Hun Manet announced the government’s plan at the opening of a new school building in Kampong Thom province.
- Within the next two years WFP plans to end support for more than 280 schools, and the government says it is preparing to take over the costs.
Sources (1)
[1] Kampuchea Thmey រដ្ឋាភិបាលកម្ពុជា ត្រៀមថវិកាឧបត្ថម្ភអាហារដល់សាលារៀនជាង ២៨០ ដើម្បីធានាដល់ការសិក្សារបស់សិស្ស 5 Nov Read originalWas this explainer clear?
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