Oman tries to make milk popular among students

Two government departments and a private organisation are coming together to make milk popular among pupils now that the education ministry is enforcing a ban on the sale of carbonated canned drinks in school canteens.

The ministries of health and education have joined hands with the Oman National Dairy (OND) to initiate the School Milk Programme, informally launched yesterday at the Shamsh Al Marifa School for basic education in Al Khuwair area.

About 28 countries will mark September 25 as World School Milk Day. "Our formal launch will coincide with this day," Maqbool Al Balushi, the OND Production Manager, announced.

"Distribution of milk is a popular programme all over the world and it started in the U.S." He said a study revealed that children between the ages of 4-10 were not getting enough vitamins as they were consuming carbonated drinks more than the nutritious products like milk. Thus, the milk programme was introduced.

Khamis bin Salim Al Rabi, Director of General Education in Muscat Province, said only Saudi Arabia has a similar programme. "We plan to cover a far larger area and 20,000 students in Muscat, Izki and Sohar," Al Balushi said.

Maryam bin Abdullah Al Wa'li, Superintendent of the Nutrition Section the health ministry said: "It is vital to provide milk to youngsters as such a programme will help students consume nutritious products."

Initially, the OND will distribute milk packets of 125ml of banana and strawberry flavours, free of charge for five days. "That will amount to over 120,000 packets," Al Balushi said.

After the first phase, which will end in December, the ministry of education is considering buying the product from the OND to distribute in schools. "It is under consideration to buy the packets from them (ODN) but no final decision has been made," Al Rabi said.

Al Rabi confirmed that a ban was in place for the sale or distribution of carbonated drinks in the Omani school's premises.

"We only allow milk products and juices in tetra packs."

He also pointed out that the education ministry has trained 60 teachers to spread awareness in schools about the importance of milk consumption. "I think parents should also ensure that their children consume enough milk at home too," he reiterated.

The primary aim is to educate children and their parents about the importance of milk consumption, said Al Wa'li.