Government has formulated an action plan that will accompany the Barbados School Nutrition Policy during its phased implementation in Term III of the academic year 2022-2023.
This was divulged by Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, as she addressed the launch ceremony for the new policy today at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology, Wildey, St. Michael.
Explaining the rationale behind the action plan, Minister McConney stressed: “These activities and others focus on imparting knowledge and creating attitudes that are related to healthy eating and physical fitness. We believe that it will make for a much better community of people working together towards a common purpose at this time.”
While pointing out that many schools had already started on their own initiatives, banning sweetened drinks and some concessionaires/vendors had also removed unhealthy snacks from their offerings, she added: “When we speak about this policy, it is not just about us having a piece of paper that says there is a policy, but we have started the movement hand in hand with the entire community that is part of our school campuses.”
Outlining some of the specific activities expected to be followed by concessionaires and vendors, Minister McConney said: “All beverages sold in schools must be unsweetened. We have many alternatives out there…. We have all kinds of options that we have already started to share with our concessionaires and our vendors, so that they don’t just have to go and find this and figure it out on their own. But, we are working through it togther.”
While also noting that Tuesdays and Thursdays have been designated as days where healthy dishes must be served in the school environment, the Education Minister said the intention is for this to be “every day”.
According to her, vegetables must be served with all meals and healthy snacks, as recommended by the National Nutrition Centre and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB), will be sold on the school compound.
A list of these healthy snacks, she noted, has been compiled by the HSFB and will be issued to principals, canteen concessionaires and vendors at schools.
Water Wednesdays and fruit Fridays will continue. Moreover, students will be allowed to drink water throughout the day during class time, and primary school personnel and clubs at secondary schools must sell healthier options to raise funds.
Parents will also have the privilege of attending meetings to encourage support for the changes. Likewise, similar meetings/workshops will be convened with canteen concessionaires to sensitise them about the policy and how they can contribute to a healthy school environment.
Teachers will be encouraged to integrate the teaching of healthy lifestyles into other subjects and there will be a focus on healthy eating and fitness in Health and Family Life Education. There will also be HYPE days (Healthy Youth Through Physical Education) at all educational institutions.
Ms. McConney, emphasising that there will be a syllabus, related to healthy nutrition and activity for early childhood and infant cohorts, added: “The younger we get them, the better are our chances of them carrying this through into adulthood.”