According to the director of Student Welfare, Rene Jaquez, the Ministry of Education has proposed doubling its budget, which currently stands at RD$4 billion and includes the provision of school meals.

The new budget, between RD$8 and RD$9 billion would also include the provision of dental and optical health services to schoolchildren.

The budget is to be increased as the school day will be extended for 37,000 students in 97 schools around the country and will include three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack. It is anticipated that within a year 200 schools will be open all day, involving 160,000 meals per day.

Jacquez was interviewed during World Glass of Milk at School day which was being celebrated at the National Board for the Regulation of the Milk Industry (CONALECHE), and he went on to say that specialists were currently analyzing the proposed menu for the students, which could include traditional food with the possible addition of fruit and a piece of cheese.

www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2012/9/26/248666/Educacion-proyecta-incrementar-a-RD8-mil-millones-presupuesto-para-el

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