This year, 21,000 schoolchildren will have free meals in Mykolaiv schools
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- Darina Melnychuk
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12:34, 08 September, 2025
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVestiOn Monday, 8 September, schools in Mykolaiv began to provide free meals for students in grades 5-11.
This was reported by a correspondent of NikVesti.
Head of the Education Department of Mykolaiv City Council Hanna Lychko reminded that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine had decided to introduce free meals for all classes in the frontline regions, including Mykolaiv and the region.
«There are 64 general secondary education institutions in the city, 13 of which operate fully remotely, while the rest are either in-person or in a mixed format. While last year only primary school students received free meals at the expense of a government subvention and co-financing from the city budget, now all students from grades 1 to 11 in the frontline regions receive meals. The main funding comes from the state budget — up to 70%, the rest is covered by the city,» explained Anna Lychko.
Hanna Lychko, Head of the Education Department of Mykolaiv City Council. Photo: NikVestiShe noted that last year, about 8,000 schoolchildren received free meals, and this year, almost 21,000 have already received them. According to her, this is an additional burden for school leaders, as they need to organise the educational process and meals taking into account air alerts.
«Last year, about 8,000 primary school students and children from privileged categories were provided with free meals at public expense. This year, almost 21,000 schoolchildren are already receiving meals: 8,000 in primary school, about 9,000 in grades 5-8 and about 4,000 in grades 10-11. It is worth noting that nutrition is an important component of building a healthy child's body. At the same time, this is an additional burden for the heads of educational institutions, as they need to organise the educational process taking into account the capacity of the shelters and ensure that all children have time to eat during the school day,» says Hanna Lychko.
Dmytro Vashniak, acting director of the municipal production enterprise for catering in educational institutions, noted that this year schools have introduced an updated menu that meets the standards of the Yevhen Klopotenko system and is approved by the Ministry of Health.
«We continued to improve all stages of our operations: we introduced a new menu in accordance with the Ministry of Health and healthy eating standards, ensured the supply of only certified products from trusted suppliers, and organised additional training for cooks and staff on safety, hygiene and cooking techniques,» explained Dmytro Vashnyak.
Dmytro Vashniak, acting director of the municipal production enterprise. Photo: NikVestiAccording to him, the school menu now changes every day, with more vegetables and fruits, and children eat according to the same principles of a healthy diet.
«The approved menu has been in place since today. The dishes change every day, and we have added more vegetables and fruits to ensure that children receive the necessary vitamins and a balanced diet. For example, today the pupils had a cabbage salad, banana, scramble and grain bread,» said Dmytro Vashniak.
Photo report
Free meals have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools for pupils in grades 5-11. Photo: NikVesti
Schools in Mykolaiv have introduced free meals for students in grades 5-11. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVesti
Free meals for students in grades 5-11 have been introduced in Mykolaiv schools. Photo: NikVestiAs a reminder, it is planned to spend 146.2 million hryvnias on meals for children in Mykolaiv schools by the end of this year. Earlier it was reported that school meals would rise in price from 1 September.
Earlier it was reported that in the new school year, all pupils from grades 1 to 11 will be provided with free meals in Mykolaiv schools.
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