Okaz/Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The prices of food in school canteens will not witness an increase, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for School Affairs, Dr. Nasser Al-Shalaan confirmed to Okaz/Saudi Gazette.

Al-Shalaan stated that the Ministry of Education's keenness to keep steady the prices of food that is provided at the schools canteens in accordance with the prevailing market value without any price hikes, and to the oversee the contracts signed with all operators.

The ministry follows up the canteens' commitment on the health requirements via school principals and the school health directors and nutrition supervisors in education departments, and that also in coordination with the employees in the Ministry of Health.

Al-Shalaan noted that it is still available for the productive families to provide food services in schools, adding that this method is one of the approved operational methods in the ministry.

A percentage of the schools canteens' revenues are allocated for the students with financial needs in the form of free meals, he confirmed.

Al-Shalaan said that there several other initiatives provided for the students with financial needs, most notably of which are the Takaful Charity Foundation, as it offers a program named (Wajbati — My Meal) and is allocated to the needy students.

Additionally, Al-Shalaan stated that they offer free meals provided by a company specializing in food for remote areas, particularly the border areas.