Ban keng koum: The school lunch programme in Ban Keng Koum village, Khong district, Champassak province, has been extended until 2029, following renewed support from the World Food Programme (WFP), officials have confirmed. The initiative has been in place since 2021 at Keng Koum Primary School and has been instrumental in improving student nutrition and addressing issues of low attendance and school dropouts.
According to Lao News Agency, local authorities have noted a significant improvement in student attendance since the programme's inception. Ms Suksamon Ouan-phomchaleun, deputy director of Keng Koum Primary School, stated that the programme has had a substantial impact on education. "In the past, our school had a relatively high rate of students skipping classes. Since the lunch programme started, students are more interested in coming to school and rarely miss lessons. Attendance has returned to normal," she explained.
She further mentioned that the provision of meals on campus has eliminated the need for children to leave school during lunchtime, thereby fostering a more stable and focused learning environment. The success of the programme is largely credited to strong community involvement, with Mr Somhak Loungvanxay, the village chief of Ban Keng Koum, describing the village as a model for effective implementation.
Villagers participate in a rotation system to prepare meals three to five days a week. Additionally, parents and community members contribute annually and donate locally sourced food items such as meat, eggs, and vegetables, which supplement staples provided by WFP, including rice, canned fish, and vegetable oil. School officials noted that this community-led approach helped resolve early operational challenges and enhanced local ownership of the programme.
Initially funded by the McGovern-Dole 2020 programme of the United States Department of Agriculture and set to conclude in 2025, the programme has received additional funding under McGovern-Dole 2024, allowing WFP to extend its support until 2029. Mr Phonesavath Khamvilay, head of WFP's Pakse Field Office, confirmed that students in Champassak province would continue to receive essential food items.
Despite the programme's achievements, local officials have flagged clean water access as an ongoing issue. They have raised the need for a borehole or sustainable water system with education authorities. WFP's 2025-2029 plan will focus more on improving water sources, which are crucial for food preparation, school gardening, and student hygiene.
Officials assert that the programme's extension will sustain enhanced nutrition, educational outcomes, and community engagement for children in Ban Keng Koum village, Khong district, Champassak province.
