Expired rice is being served to Timorese school children under the auspices of the School Feeding Program, according to the Timor-Leste Coalition for Education (TLCE).
TLCE program manager Matias dos Santos said the coalition made the discovery during a month-long observation of the feeding program at a school in Aimutin, Dili.
“The Ministry of Education distributed poor quality rice to the referred school,” he said.
The rice was yellowed and some was infested with weevils, he said.
He said despite this, the teacher in the school kept cooking the rice for the students, as there was no alternative available.
“It can harm students’ health,” he said.
He said despite the school feeding program menu being changed many times, it was still of poor quality as the vegetables which were prepared by the cooks did not meet health standards.
Member of Parliament Leonel Marcal said budget for the schools feeding program this year increased to 25 cents per day per student, up from last year’s allocation of 15 cents per child.
The MP said he doubted all of the money allocated was being used correctly, particularly in those schools in rural areas which did not feed their students anything.
“For a person who manages the money properly, 25 cents will be enough but a less scrupulous person can take some of that 25 cents,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Education should control the money as much as possible to minimise the opportunity for manipulation.
Education Minister Bendito Freitas said the ministry had revised its technical guide on the implementation of the school feeding program.
“In 2014, the budget of 15 cents per student increased to 25 cents,” the minister said.
Last week the Ministry of Education coordinated with civil society partners such as Forum Tau matan (FTM), FOKUPERS, the Human Rights Ombudsman (PDHJ), Belun, TLCE to determine how best to monitor the implementation of the school feeding program.
“We have held a meeting in the ministry with the general directors so they can make a complete policy about how to manage the increase in budget of the school feeding program from 15 cents to 25 cents,” he said.
He said Ministry conducted the consultation as school inspectors had not managed to provide the requirements for basic education.
The State General Budget 2014 has earmarked $26,900.000 to fund the school feeding program.
Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said the budget would be used to ensure a good nutritional balance for the children.
“The aim is to ensure children receive adequate nutrition in the schools to combat malnutrition,” PM Gusmao said.
