In the general secondary education institutions of the Drohobych city territorial community, the new academic year began with the introduction of an expanded state programme of free school meals. From 1 September 2026, all pupils in Years 1–11 (12) of municipal schools who study full-time or in a blended format are provided with free hot meals.
The decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to expand the programme became the next stage of the school meals reform. UAH 14.4 billion has been allocated for its implementation in 2026, and it is planned to cover around 3 million children across the country.
In the Drohobych community, the transition to the new model of organising school meals took place as normal. Schools started the academic year by providing pupils with hot dishes in line with the approved organisational and technological requirements. For the community, this is a logical continuation of its work, as back in 2024 it was among the first in Ukraine to introduce free hot meals for primary school pupils.
The experience gained has enabled the community to move confidently to the next step – to provide free meals for all pupils of municipal institutions, regardless of year group or entitlement to benefits. At the same time, the focus is not only on the fact of providing lunches, but also on their quality, safety and nutritional value.
Schools in the community carry out daily monitoring of how meals are organised: compliance with sanitary and hygiene standards, the technology of preparing and serving dishes, as well as the keeping of the necessary documentation. The reform is intended to shape a new food culture in schools and to guarantee children access to quality food throughout the school day.
In parallel, the Drohobych MTG is working on developing the school meals infrastructure. The community’s strategic documents provide for the modernisation of canteens and kitchen facilities, and the creation of modern conditions for the preparation and consumption of hot meals by all pupils.
The first day of the academic year showed that the system is functioning: school meals have started in the community’s schools, organisational processes have been set up, and participants in the educational process are gradually adapting to the expanded model. At the same time, during the first days, the practical fine-tuning of all procedures continues.
The Education Department of the Drohobych community maintains constant contact with school heads, analyses the situation and responds promptly to issues that arise in the process of organising meals. The department emphasises that the expansion of the programme is not only an additional social guarantee for families, but also an investment in children’s health, their performance, concentration and comfort at school.
Thus, the Drohobych community has started the academic year with an important task – to ensure that every child studying in municipal schools has access to quality free hot meals and to continue improving this system.