Register to receive meals support
Ms. Thuy Linh (Tay Mo ward, Hanoi) - a parent with a child studying at Tay Mo 3 Primary School said that she has just received a request to enjoy the first boarding meal support regime for the 2025-2026 school year, applicable from September 5 to December 31, 2025.
According to the content of the petition, Ms. Linh's family voluntarily participated in the boarding service at Tay Mo 3 Primary School. In the first phase, the number of months of boarding meals registration is 4 months, the expected number of meals days is 84 days.
The estimated budget supported by the State for the first phase of the 2025 - 2026 school year (through educational institutions to organize boarding meals for students) is calculated according to the formula: 84 days x 20,000 VND/student/day = 1,680,000 VND/student.
This support policy is implemented according to Resolution No. 18/2025 recently approved by the Hanoi People's Council, regulating the mechanism for supporting boarding meals for primary school students in the city, starting from the 2025-2026 school year.
"In the context of increasing living expenses, this policy helps to significantly reduce the economic burden on parents, while ensuring students' meals are nutritious and safe," Ms. Linh expressed.
However, Ms. Linh also hopes that the process of selecting a meal supplier needs to be public, transparent, and substantially inspected and evaluated by the authorities to ensure the quality of students' meals.
Sharing the same view, Ms. Trang - a parent whose child is studying at Ly Nam De Primary School (Hanoi) said: Previously, parents could participate in supervising school meals, contributing to ensuring the safety of students when eating at school.
"When parents do not have to pay, the choice of a meal supplier will be decided by the local government. I hope the selection process will be carried out publicly and transparently and parents will still participate in supervision," Ms. Trang expressed.
According to Resolution No. 18/2025, the support level for primary school students in group 1 (including students studying at 23 educational institutions in mountainous communes and communes in the central banks of the Red River before the time of administrative unit arrangement) is 30,000 VND/student/day for main meals.
For group 2, including primary school students at remaining educational institutions in the city, the support level is 20,000 VND/student/day.
In case parents and schools agree on a higher food allowance than the State's support level, the difference will be collected from learners. However, it is still necessary to ensure a minimum meal allowance of 30,000 VND/student/day.
The support period is applied according to the actual number of days of meals in the 2025-2026 school year, not exceeding 9 months/school year.
Lunch support policies also help create a more equitable educational environment
Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thi An - National Assembly Delegate of the 13th tenure - affirmed: This decision clearly demonstrates that education is the top national policy. With the view of ensuring fair and equal access to education, "leaving no one behind", supporting lunch for primary school students demonstrates the responsibility and determination of the Party and State in caring for the young generation - the future of the country.
The lunch support policy also helps create a more equitable educational environment, when all students, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to access equally complete and quality meals. At the same time, this policy also contributes to reducing financial pressure on families with school-age children, especially households in difficult circumstances.
Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam - Chairman of the Board of Education of Dinh Tien Hoang High School highly appreciated the policy of supporting boarding meals for primary school students implemented by Hanoi City from the 2025-2026 school year. According to him, this is a very meaningful policy, demonstrating the deep concern of the State and the city for future generations.
"This is a practical policy, bringing many benefits to families, especially young parents with low incomes and having to worry about many expenses in life.
When their children are supported with timely and adequate meals at school, parents can reduce the burden of daily expenses, work with peace of mind, stabilize their lives, and still ensure that their children are well cared for and have enough nutrition," he said.
To promote the policy's effectiveness, Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam especially emphasized the issue of food hygiene and safety - a key factor in organizing boarding meals.
Schools need to ensure a one-sided kitchen, separate the processing area of raw and cooked food; trays, bowls, and spoons must be washed, dried, many places have equipped drying cabinets for eating to increase safety. Input ingredients must be strictly controlled, the processing process must comply with standards, the menu must be suitable for age and ensure adequate nutrition.
Stibilizing inspection, examination, management and supervision of the organization of boarding will contribute to ensuring food hygiene and safety in schools is carried out strictly, methodically and effectively. Only then can parents be truly assured when sending their children to school, Dr. Lam emphasized.
