Governor Verano recently shared some important figures regarding the management of the School Feeding Program (PAE) in Atlántico during the Education Regions Meeting organized by the National Federation of Departments. He outlined the strategies that his administration has put in place to ensure quality education and nutritional support for students in Atlántico schools.
Since the beginning of the 2024 school year, the PAE has been running smoothly without any interruptions. This was made possible by allocating funds from the 2023 budget to sustain the initiative. Governor Verano mentioned that food supplies have been distributed since April of this year using the allocated resources for the 2024 budget. The goal is to reduce absenteeism among students and ensure that they can stay in school to complete their education and prepare for higher education.
One of the main challenges that Governor Verano aims to tackle is to have all PAE meals prepared in school kitchens with proper hygiene standards. The focus is on minimizing the use of processed foods and providing students with nutritious, organic meals. The ‘Atlántico para el Mundo’ development plan prioritizes allocating a significant portion of the budget to the Education sector as a key tool for territorial development.
Governor Verano emphasized the importance of assessing the infrastructure of school kitchens and dining areas to determine the necessary adjustments and investments needed to improve the quality of meals provided to students. Access to high-quality organic food can enhance brain and physical development, especially during the crucial first five years of life when the brain is 85% developed.
In the 2024 fiscal year, the Atlántico Governor’s Office expanded the coverage of the PAE program from 40,000 to 47,500 students in the 20 non-certified municipalities. This increase resulted in an additional 1.3 million meals being served throughout the year. Additionally, Governor Verano mentioned that the Atlántico department has enlisted the University Nacional de Colombia to oversee the school feeding service. With over 20 years of experience in food service, the university has the necessary administrative, economic, and financial capabilities to successfully manage such projects.
Overall, Governor Verano’s presentation highlighted the commitment of the Atlántico administration to improving the quality of education and nutritional support for students in the region. By focusing on providing healthy, organic meals prepared in school kitchens and expanding the coverage of the PAE program, the government aims to ensure that students receive the necessary support to thrive academically and physically.