Since the initiation of the programme, WFP maintained a close and strategic partnership with MEHE to coordinate operations and agree on strategic decisions.
WFP and MEHE conduct a regular strategic and technical session to ensure that the programme is adjusted/improved and lessons learnt applied. WFP is working with MEHE to integrate the programme indicators into the Ministry’s unified school information management framework and build the capacity of relevant staff on required de-segregated data and the collection mechanism in alignment with the ministry framework. Moreover, WFP is working with the nutrition sector to strengthen the multi-sectoral nutrition governance by ensuring coordination among the various stakeholders and ministries (MEHE and MoPH) to avoid duplication of efforts and inadequate resource management.
The Global School Meals Coalition
WFP supported MEHE in joining the Global School Meals Coalition in 2023, affirming a robust Declaration of Commitment toward establishing a national school feeding policy and programme. The ongoing national assessment results and the work on developing a national policy are significant milestones demonstrating MEHE's commitment to establishing a national program in the long run.
Effectiveness of the programme on the students
An external evaluation of WFP's school-based programme in Lebanon conducted in 2019 indicated that the overall dietary diversity scores, school engagement scores, sense of school community and feeling of belonging among children attending assisted schools are higher as compared to children attending non-assisted schools [1]. Children had an increase in nutrition-related knowledge and better-informed attitudes towards healthy eating compared to children attending schools not supported by the programme. Additionally, participation in the programme was associated with a significant decrease in school dropout and increased school retention for children attending the intervention schools in morning and afternoon shifts. In the context of chronic crisis, this study showed that an emergency school-based programme can in fact improve children's diets, food security, school attendance/retention and psycho-social wellbeing.
[1] Decentralized Evaluation: Evaluation Series on Emergency School Feeding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Niger, and Syria 2015-2019, Lebanon Evaluation Report. (Full report forthcoming – an unpublished study that supports WFP interpretations of the findings.)
Perception of students and parents
In May to June 2023, WFP, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), conducted a school meals assessment with families and students benefiting from the school-based programme. With the aim to gather information on overall dietary habits, behavior related to school meals and feedback on the programme, the assessment involved 966 students and 1034 families from WFP-supported schools.
Results from the students’ assessments showed a positive impact of the school-based programme on their nutrition and educational performance. Feedback revealed that 60 percent of students wanted the programme to continue for improved nutrition, 23 percent for enhanced focus and 2 percent for increased school enrolment. It also revealed that 27 percent of students are coming to school without having breakfast. Among those skipping both breakfast and lunch, 14 percent did not bring any food or money with them, relying solely on the programme. The average pocket money by child amounts to LBP 100,000 (around USD 1.12) per week which often goes towards unhealthy snacks such as biscuits, potato chips, juices and chocolate. Moreover, students suggested some improvements like diversifying snacks options, increasing meal sizes, distributing mineral water and replacing snacks with sandwiches.
As for the families, 98 percent were aware of the programme and reported that their children enjoy the snacks and cold meals, attributing the programme's success to assisting parents in financial crises, time saving and providing nutritious healthy food. Families noted that the programme helped their children enjoy school (44 percent) and contributed to their health by offering nutritious food (40 percent).