Progress made with Barbados School Nutrition Policy

Deputy Chief Education Officer, Julia Beckles, says persistence and consistency are integral in promoting healthy food and beverage choices among students in schools.

Beckles made the comments recently at the inaugural Barbados School Nutrition Policy (BSNP) Teachers’ Capacity Training Workshop, at the Erdiston Teachers’ Training College.

The Deputy Chief Education Officer stated: “As it relates to at least the beverages, we have been able to make some gains there…. Consistency is important, and therefore we want to ensure that we are not doing what is right only when someone is looking.”

“So, I make this call to those in our schools who run our campaigns. I make this call to the vendors in and around our schools, to continue to do what is right in offering our students healthy alternatives.”

Approximately 130 teachers from nursery, primary, secondary and private schools were trained during the workshop, as part of a national effort to strengthen healthy school environments, support policy implementation, and build capacity across the education system.

Modules of the workshop focused on creating supportive food environments in schools, nutrition education, policy compliance and collaborative strategies for reinforcing healthy eating within schools.

Beckles commended the workshop’s participants for their ongoing efforts in ensuring the success of the Barbados School Nutritional Policy.

(BGIS)