FEAD 2018 Catalogue of case studies

Cyprus – Preventing malnutrition and early school leaving with free breakfasts Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture Images © Wavebreakmedia, Shutterstock.com, 2018 WHY? Following the financial crisis in Cyprus, a growing number of families were unable to afford breakfast for their children. The Ministry of Education and Culture recognised the risk in this situation, as a lack of nutritious breakfasts can lead to lower educational achievement. Low educational achievements spurred by health problems in turn increase the risk of early school leaving and social exclusion. WHAT? The programme provides the beneficiaries with free breakfast at school. It is offered on weekdays to the 2 000 eligible children in 118 participating schools from all education levels (pre-primary, primary and secondary). Particular care is taken to include organic products, as well as to accommodate special dietary needs such as diabetes. Products are carefully selected from a list of approved items. Special emphasis is also placed on offering the free breakfasts with discretion and respect to the pupils’ dignity, by providing them with a free breakfast at the same time as all other students. Diverse approaches to supporting Europe’s most deprived: FEAD case studies 2018 14