The Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education will expand its autonomous meal selection program from 250 schools last year to 564 schools starting this month.
The autonomous meal selection program is a flagship future-oriented policy of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education. It aims to foster healthy eating habits among students, respect their right to choose, and encourage active participation in school meals, thereby simultaneously promoting community spirit and character education.
The Office explained that the autonomous meal selection program helps prevent picky eating and improve eating habits through a diversified menu and balanced nutritional planning. It also contributes to spreading a school culture that respects students' autonomy in making dietary decisions.
This year, the Office plans to diversify its support by operating a policy advisory group, a central expert support group, and a field communication group to provide tailored support and on-site communication for schools implementing the autonomous meal selection program. It will also develop various 'models' and support educational research associations.
Lee Seungjun, Head of School Meals and Health at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, stated, "Policies are completed through the trust and participation of the educational community," adding, "We will actively support the autonomous meal selection program so that it can become a core policy connecting students' lives and education."
Meanwhile, according to a perception survey conducted in April of this year among 15,415 members of the Gyeonggi education community, students showed the highest awareness of the autonomous meal selection program (70%) among major policies. In addition, a survey conducted last year among 17,897 students at participating schools found that 94.7% responded that the program "helps them know the appropriate serving size and form healthy eating habits."
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