Before SY 2013-2014 ended last March, 154 Grades 1 and 2 pupils from Bayanan Elementary School Main (BESM) who were part of the 3G Program’s nutrition enhancement component achieved a remarkable 100% “normal” nutritional status.
Beyond nutritional recovery, the program recorded a 90% attendance rate among these pupils for the entire school year. This success is consistent with both global and local studies demonstrating that in-school feeding programs significantly improve student attendance and engagement.
At the beginning of the school year in June 2013, these pupils—comprising 21% of the total population for their grade levels—were classified as either “wasted” or “severely wasted” based on their body mass index (BMI). Through the PTC-CSJ Foundation’s Growing Good to Great Kids (3G) Program, these undernourished students were provided a nutritious lunch every school day, supplemented with multi-vitamins donated by United Laboratories.
Daily nutritious meals have led to significant improvements in student health and classroom performance.
This marks the third year of successful 3G implementation in BESM. Looking ahead to SY 2014-2015, the Foundation will continue its work in BESM while expanding the program to another public school in Muntinlupa City—Lakeview Elementary School—furthering our commitment to student health and education.