“Instead of fretting over the lack of progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, we should focus on enacting practical policies that can make a difference. School-nutrition programs in the poorest countries would reduce levels of hunger and poverty, keep more children in the classroom, and lead to better learning outcomes.” argue G Brown and K Watkins.
“Poverty and hunger have devastating effects on educational outcomes and social mobility. Some 84 million children are at risk of being out of education by the 2030 deadline, undermining progress toward universal education. … Programs in India, Brazil, and many other countries have shown that providing a meal in school improves nutrition, allows children to learn free from the debilitating effects of hunger, and is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty.”