G20 Brasil takes ministers to learn about school feeding program

The visit highlights a program that guarantees 10 billion meals annually for more than 154 thousand schools across Brasil. Students representing nine of the forum's nations share a typical lunch, promoting cultural integration.

With the purpose of leading by example, G20 Brasil brought Education Ministers from member countries to experience the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) this week in Fortaleza, Ceará, closing the program of the working group's ministerial meeting. With an annual investment of more than 980 million dollars, the policy guarantees around 10 billion meals per year for more than 154 thousand schools across the country.

At the Jaime Alencar Oliveira State Professional School (EEEP), representatives from South Africa, Germany, Angola, the United States, India, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, joined students and teachers for a lunch prepared according to the program's guidelines. On the menu, a typical Brazilian meal: rice, beans, couscous, mixed vegetables, and grilled chicken.

The state's public school nutritionist, Amanda Frota, argues that food influences students' performance and encourages them to stay in school. “A well-fed child or teenager will perform much better. Many of these students do not have enough to eat at home. Providing adequate and quality food has made a difference in the lives of these students," she said.

About 40 students, aged between 15 and 18 years old, from Jaime Alencar, Visconde do Rio Branco Bilingual School and Centro Cearense de Idiomas were prepared to receive the G20 Ministers of Education. They received training in culture, geopolitics, and improved their language skills to communicate with the delegations. According to Camilo Silva, the school's principal, there have been three months of dedication and anxiety leading up to this moment. 

“We went through a very intense period of building memories. I believe that the experience of hosting an international event will enhance the quality of education for the boys and girls, as well as provide an opportunity for human development for the 40 students who had lunch with the ministers, as well as for all the students who were impacted It is an achievement that will remain in the memory of the school community for a long time," Silva said with emotion. 

Experiences for the world

Camilo Santana, Minister of Education of Brasil and host of the ministerial meeting, pointed out that it was an opportunity to show the world the experience of a full-time school where students are fluent in English and Spanish. 

“We were able to show that Brasil has the largest school feeding program in the world and the importance of school feeding for education, for Brazilian public schools. It was a moment when countries were able to learn a little about the policies for full-time school, professional and technological education, and also about the school feeding program in Brasil, especially here in Fortaleza," said Santana.

Translated by PGET-UFSC

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