Construction will begin in March on a cafeteria at the Trafalgar Primary School funded under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).
Japanese Ambassador, Yoshimasa Tezuka and principal of the Trafalgar Primary School, Doreen Watt signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction off the school cafeteria last week.
Watt was presented with a cheque in the amount of USD36, 230.
Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Petter Saint-Jean said the cafeteria is expected “to improve the nutritional status of the children while encouraging school enrolment and attendance, resulting in improved student performance and cognitive development.”
“This new cafeteria will be a welcome addition as we seek to achieve those objectives in the interest of our children’s health,” he said. “As we know, many of our children today have unhealthy eating habits, with the prevalence of fast food chains on island and processed fatty, packaged foods. The Ministry of Education’s policy is that only healthy eating must take place at our schools,” Saint-Jean said.
Saint-Jean also called for schools to focus on agriculture programmes in order to foster an appreciation for eating locally produced foods.
“Given the prevalence of unhealthy eating habits among our school aged children there must be a heavy emphasis on eating what we grow and growing what will be eaten here,” Saint-Jean advised.
Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Valley, John Collin Mc Intyre, also urged the parents, who will serve as cooks at the school, to provide healthy snack and lunch options for their children.
Ambassador Tezuka said the Japanese government was pleased to support the project under its GGP programme.
“With this project the Trafalgar Primary School will provide proper food for its students who might not have been able to access it. Nutritional balance is very important for a healthy lifestyle especially for children. I have no doubt that this project is truly one which helps meet basic human needs and we are very pleased that we can assist through the G.G.P,” Tezuka said.
Meanwhile principal Watt said among the objectives of the project was to provide students with “safe and comfortable eating accommodations” and to help “increase students’ academic performances since they will be having well-balanced meals prepared at the school’s cafeteria.”
The cafeteria will feature a kitchen and dining area, and will come equipped with a freezer and cooker.
Construction is expected to be completed within five months of the start date.
japan’s aid might aggravate china
Good for the students at Trafalgar Primary.
love ya japan
Wow!! TR children don’t go home for lunch anymore? Glad that the school is getting some funding but I wonder if there is not something else all the kids could benefits from a little more.
I read the headline on this article and did a double take on “Trafalgar Primary School” then a Triple take on “Japan”….. this is very interesting.
Congratulations to the Trafalgar Primary School on the other note we must remember that these people don’t do anything for nothing in return.
Great move!
Is there any project in the betterment of Dominica which is soley funded by The Dominican Government. It just appears that Dominica is so reliant on other governments. Just my thoughts no harm meant.
Is there a project in dominica that would benifit Dominica that is fully and soley funded by a Dominican? It appears that Dominica is so dependant on the local government or handouts from foriegn governments. It also appears that those who are critical of the offers or “handouts” by the foriegn governments do not take the initiative to soley fund a project. Unfortunately the critics don’t have the initiative to collaborate with the intent of funding a project for the betterment of Dominica.
What are they building with this little bit of money, a shed? Who is going
to provide food for the kids on a daily basis? Another half thinking project by the poorverment.
do not get fooled . this is to keep them in power. people wise up election is next year
@Friend Gwada fund a project and your political party will get into power. Please note in situations like this that if you don’t have an alternative or anything to offer you need to take what you get.
good initiative Mrs Watt. Keep up the good work.
Give thanks! We the people highly appreciate such needed funds that will contribute to the early development of our children’s learning skills. Thanks you Japan!