Background
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) coordinates national school feeding policy and leads inter-agency planning for donor-funded nutrition programs. On 12 May 2026 MoEYS hosted tripartite discussions with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the National Social Protection Council (NSPC) to prepare a funding proposal to the United States Department of Agriculture (McGovern‑Dole) for the 2027–2031 period.
Delegates reviewed the evolution of Cambodia’s school feeding programme since 1999 and considered evidence from national and regional learning assessments. Evaluations such as SEA‑PLM and PISA were cited as showing that school feeding programs contributed to improved learning outcomes and reduced dropout rates; participants also noted that prior U.S. government support through USDA has assisted approximately one million primary students in Cambodia. The meeting endorsed a technical assistance (TA) strategy to support implementation of the School Feeding Policy 2024–2035 and to enable transfer of programme management to the Royal Government of Cambodia by 2028.
Key Developments
• Date and venue: 12 May 2026 at MoEYS headquarters in Phnom Penh. Participants included MoEYS leadership, WFP country representatives led by Kyung‑Nan Park, NSPC deputy secretary‑general Sreng Sopheand Rosmei, and senior MoEYS officials.
• Purpose: To review programme progress, consolidate strategic options, and prepare a consolidated funding proposal for USDA McGovern‑Dole support for 2027–2031.
• Decisions: Participants agreed to advance a TA Strategy to strengthen implementation of the national School Feeding Policy (2024–2035) and to plan for a phased handover of programme management to Cambodian authorities in 2028.
Institutional Role
MoEYS acts as the primary government custodian for school feeding policy and coordinates partner inputs for programme design and funding requests. The World Food Programme provides operational and technical support at country level and participates in proposal formulation alongside national coordinating bodies such as the NSPC. The USDA McGovern‑Dole Fund provides grant financing through proposals submitted by eligible national entities and partners for school feeding and related education‑nutrition interventions.
Implications for Policy and Implementation
The agreed TA Strategy is intended to align donor support with Cambodia’s School Feeding Policy (2024–2035) and to build government capacity ahead of the planned 2028 management transition. Continued donor coordination and evidence from learning assessments will shape program design choices that link nutrition inputs to educational outcomes.
Source
Original report: MoEYS Facebook post, 12 May 2026 — https://www.facebook.com/moeys.gov.kh/posts/pfbid022Xa2T5VLafh1mb53G965DjMzrU1fbeyH2wvTWLjBLeG8BGbyatfmygtPGPVeBRWfl
