Open Call: Sustainable School Health & Nutrition through HGSF in Kyrgyzstan

The WFP, in partnership with KOICA, is implementing a program to enhance nutritious school meals and promote sustainable school feeding solutions in the Kyrgyz Republic. The initiative combines improvements in nutrition, health, and hygiene with capacity-building at both school and national levels.

Key Objectives

• Improve School Meals: Enhance nutritional quality and promote healthy dietary practices among students.

• Strengthen Policy and Institutional Capacity: Support the National School Meals Programme and school-level management systems.

• Integrate WASH Interventions: Improve water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, including gender-segregated toilets and septic systems.

• Promote Social and Behavioral Change: Deliver hygiene and health education programs, including Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHM).

• Foster Sustainability: Institutionalize WASH systems and school feeding practices to ensure long-term impact.

Implementation

• Coverage: 40 schools across Naryn, Chui, Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken provinces, including Bishkek and Osh cities.

• School-level Interventions:

  • Design and construction supervision of gender-segregated toilets with septic tanks.

  • Health and hygiene education programs.

  • Formation of School WASH Committees for governance and maintenance.

• Capacity-Building:

  • Invitational training programs in the Republic of Korea for school and government staff.

  • Strengthening institutional capacity at national and subnational levels.

Outcomes

• Improved student health and hygiene, reducing absenteeism and supporting better learning outcomes.

• Enhanced school infrastructure, ensuring safe and hygienic learning environments.

• Strengthened policy and management capacity for sustainable school feeding and WASH systems.

• Promotion of gender-sensitive interventions, including MHM, supporting equality and inclusivity.

Conclusion

This initiative demonstrates a comprehensive approach to education, nutrition, and hygiene, integrating school meals with WASH improvements and institutional capacity-building. By combining school-level interventions with policy support and international training, the project contributes to long-term sustainability, healthier learning environments, and strengthened educational outcomes for children across the Kyrgyz Republic.