Ermera, September 10, 2026 – Her Excellency the Minister of Education, Dr. Dulce de Jesus Soares, made a surprise visit to the Fahiteen Branch Elementary School (EEBF) to directly observe the implementation of the School Meal Program and the students’ learning process.
During the visit, the Minister of Education observed the preparation of school meals, verifying that the food is properly prepared and in accordance with the established menu. In addition, she directly observed the learning process and the interaction between teachers and students in the classroom.
The Ministry of Education recognizes that some schools may not yet be implementing the program in accordance with the established rules and standards. For this reason, the Ministry of Education will continue to carry out supervision and monitoring actions, in coordination with the Ministry of State Administration, in order to ensure that students receive nutritious and healthy food daily.
The Ministry of Education expresses its deep gratitude to the community, parents and guardians, and all those who continue to provide support and attention to the implementation of the School Meal Program. The Ministry also encourages the community to report any problems or situations that are not occurring in accordance with the rules in schools, as the cooperation of all parties is fundamental to improving the quality of education and the well-being of students.
It is worth remembering that the School Meal Program is a policy of the Government of Timor-Leste that aims to provide daily, healthy and nutritious meals to students in schools.
The program has three main objectives: to improve nutrition, ensuring that children have access to a balanced diet that contributes to their growth and development; to improve the learning process, promoting concentration, participation and school attendance of students; and to promote local products, contributing to the strengthening of the local economy through the purchase of food from local farmers and producers.
