BY: JUDITH A. HUNTER
Kingston, Jamaica, April 22, 2025 – Approximately18,803 students from183 schools are beneficiaries of the Nutrition Products Limited (NPL) Snack Programme.
This is bolstered by the NPL Breakfast Programme, which serves students under the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), which currently supports an additional 50,884 students across another 641 schools daily.
The Holy Trinity High School in Kingston (HTHS) was added to the NPL Snack Programme earlier this year, and according to the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), this reinforces the Government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable students.
This addition is significant, as it aims to enhance learning outcomes while providing critical nutritional support to students who may otherwise struggle to concentrate and succeed, due to lack of proper nutrition.
The school is also the first to benefit from the recently launched Grade 7 Academy Programme which the MoESYI, in conjunction with the St. Michael’s College in Kingston, is piloting as part of an initiative to reimagining underperforming schools in Jamaica.
This initiative is designed to enhance the numeracy and literacy skills of students entering grade seven.
Director of Communication at the MoESYI, Ruth-Ann Carr, told JIS News that the Ministry recognises the critical link between proper nutrition and academic performance. So, through NPL, efforts are being made to address the needs of students who may not have access to adequate nutrition at home.
“By providing nutritious meals/snacks to these students, the programme seeks to improve their ability to concentrate, engage in lessons, and ultimately perform better academically. The initiative underscores the importance of addressing basic needs to foster an environment conducive to learning, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom,” Ms. Carr explained.
Principal of HTHS, Karl Clark, underscored this connection. “Nutrition is not just about survival; it is integral to our students’ focus and engagement in learning. Many of our students rely heavily on the school for food, and we see first-hand how proper nourishment can influence their academic performance,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, noted the undeniable link between nutrition and academic performance.
“Nutrition plays a vital role in a student’s ability to concentrate and succeed academically. By ensuring that our students receive the proper nourishment, we are giving them the best possible opportunity to excel in their education and close the achievement gap in underperforming schools,” she said.
The Grade 7 Academy Programme has been described as a transformational project designed to create a robust framework for enhancing student-centred learning and development.
According to Mr. Clark, there is need for such frameworks. “With approximately 500 of our students on PATH, there are many other students who, despite not being enrolled in PATH, also need support and the school steps in to provide lunch for them. The Snack Programme allows us to address their immediate nutritional needs, while the Grade 7 Academy Project aims to create an environment that fosters academic success,” he said.
The NPL plays a critical role in the National School Feeding Programme, overseeing the distribution of baked goods categorised under Breakfast and Snack. The programme now covers a total of 824 schools nationwide.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NPL, Andrew Narine, has emphasised the broad impact of the School Feeding Programme.
“By ensuring that vulnerable students receive the nutrition they need to stay focused and engaged, NPL’s initiative directly supports the MoESYI’s mission to close the achievement gap in struggling schools,” the CEO said.
Meanwhile, Senator Morris Dixon said the Ministry continues to prioritise the improvement of literacy and numeracy through sustained nutritional support, and the NPL Snack and Breakfast Programmes stand as a testament to the collaborative efforts made towards student success.
“Integrating nutritional support with educational progress demonstrates that enhancing welfare is not merely a separate initiative but a vital element in raising educational standards throughout Jamaica,” the Minister said.
“By embracing these programmes, schools like Holy Trinity are not just filling stomachs, they are fostering achievement and transforming the landscape of education in Jamaica, a journey undeniably marked by the promise of a better future for all students,” she added.
Photo contributed