Can Rs 20 a day buy students a nutritious school day meal?
Summary
Nepal’s Rs 20 daily school meal allowance is proving too low for many community schools to serve nutritious, balanced food consistently. Administrators say rising food prices, limited staff and weak facilities are forcing some schools to rely on cheaper snacks, even as the program continues to boost attendance and retention.
Key Points
- Nepal has allocated Rs 9.537 billion in FY 2026/27 to provide school day meals to about 2.8 million children from ECD to Grade 5.
- School administrators say Rs 20 per student per day is not enough to cover nutritious meals amid rising food prices and limited infrastructure.
- Some schools have shifted to dry snacks or simplified meal service because canteen operators and staff cannot sustain balanced menus within the allowance.
- The Department of Education says better management, local government cooperation and stronger school meal committees are needed to improve the program's quality.
