Warm reception for school lunch program by educators and parents

Vibrant Lunches for Little Scholars: A Game-Changer in Hanoi's Education System

Hà Nội - Recent buzz has the city's education sector abuzz! It all started during a meeting with voters when Party General Secretary Tô Lâm proposed exploring the idea of free lunches in public schools.

This announcement, paired with the existing free tuition policy, is set to revolutionize the lives of many families, easing not only financial but also time pressures, rendering school days less stressful for both parents and children.

Nguyễn Hoa Lê, a gleaming mother of two from Gia Lâm District, couldn't contain her excitement. "If this suggestion becomes reality, we'd be in seventh heaven!" she exclaimed to Sức Khỏe & Đời Sống (Health and Life) newspaper. "Free tuition and lunch would significantly decrease our family's expenses, allowing us to invest more in extracurricular activities and subjects that our children enjoy." As it stands, her family spends over VNĐ2 million a month on meals and semi-boarding services - a considerable chunk of their education-related expenditure.

When it comes to other enthusiastic parents like Trǎn Thị Cảnh, whose child studies at a primary school without boarding classes, the sentiment is similar. "If the school can offer boarding and free lunches for the children, I'm sure every parent will be all for it. The children will be able to eat and rest at school under teachers' supervision. We'll have nothing to worry about - no more rushing to pick up and drop off kids four times a day."

A Double Score

This proposal doesn't just strike a chord with parents; educators are pretty pumped, too. Teachers recognize the potential positive impact of the free lunch policy on the overall development of students.

Feeding students a nutritious lunch play a pivotal role in boosting both their physical and mental development, ensuring they have the energy and focus to excel academically throughout the day.

Nguyễn Thị Vân Hòng, the principal of Chương Dương Secondary School in Hoàn Kiếm, hails this initiative as a humanitarian move, demonstrating the Party and State's deep concern for the education sector. "If this policy is implemented, parents can rest assured knowing their children are being fully taken care of at school -from studying to meals and rest time," she said.

Education expert Bùi Khánh Nguyên believes if implemented holistically, free school lunches would be a significant leap forward in securing educational welfare - building on the success of free tuition. "This isn't just a practical financial boost but also a reflection of the compassion behind policy-making for the younger generation - the future of the nation," Nguyên said.

Students of Đoàn Kết Primary School in Long Biên District, Hà Nội have lunch. VNA/VNS Photo

A small VNĐ30,000 meal carries a ripple effect with far-reaching implications. It not only empowers students to flourish but also fosters trust and relief among parents, contributing to the nurturing of a robust learning society.

A 2025 study reveals redesigned school menus have increased vegetable variety by 3.1 times (from 1.8 to 5.6 types) and overall food variety by 1.6 times (6.2 to 10.2 items), all at comparable cost[1]. This significant boost in vegetable consumption addresses micronutrient gaps in typical diets, fostering better childhood development. Additionally, the proposed free lunch policy would provide financial relief for many families, particularly in light of research demonstrating that meal subsidies would save households - particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds - a substantial amount[2]. Last but not least, the implementation of free lunches could help promote educational equity, complementing tuition-free education to reduce dropout rates, boost attendance, and support long-term societal equity[5].

The announcement of free lunches in public schools, along with the existing free tuition policy, is poised to revolutionize education in Hanoi, lessening financial and time pressures for families.
Nguyen Hoa Le, a mother from Gia Lam District, expressed her excitement, stating that the policy could significantly decrease family expenses, enabling investment in extracurricular activities and subjects the children enjoy.
Traan Thi Cahn, a parent whose child attends a primary school without boarding classes, supports the idea of offering boarding and free lunches, as it would alleviate the need for constant transportation and supervision.
Educators also welcome the free lunch policy, recognizing its potential positive impact on students' physical and mental development, enabling them to focus better academically.
Principal Nguyen Thi Van Hong of Chuong Duong Secondary School considers the policy a humanitarian move, demonstrating the government's deep concern for the education sector.
Education expert Bui Khanh Nguyen believes that the implementation of free school lunches could be a significant step forward in securing educational welfare and reflecting compassionate policy-making for the younger generation.
The proposed free lunch policy would not only impact students' nutritional intake but also contribute to fostering trust and relief among parents, helping create a robust learning society.
Research shows that the free lunch policy could provide substantial financial relief for families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and help promote educational equity by reducing dropout rates and supporting long-term societal equity.