Introduction:
The Taiwan government’s “fresh milk for every class” initiative, launched in September to provide milk to elementary school students, will be discontinued starting next semester. The decision to halt the program comes after receiving mixed feedback from educators, parents, and local governments.
Background of the Policy:
In a bid to promote better nutrition for children and support Taiwan’s local dairy industry, the government introduced the NT$4.4 billion (US$134.8 million) initiative. The policy aimed to increase calcium intake among elementary school students and prepare Taiwan for the removal of tariffs on milk imports from New Zealand in 2025. The program was intended to distribute fresh milk twice a week to students across the nation.
However, from its inception, the initiative faced significant challenges. These included logistical problems like supply shortages, inadequate refrigerated storage space in schools, and the disruption caused by the twice-weekly distribution schedule. As a result, some schools opted to give out shelf-stable milk on a monthly basis instead of fresh milk.
Challenges Faced by Schools:
Supply Shortages and Storage Issues
Many schools struggled to handle the milk distribution process, facing supply shortages that led to delays in deliveries. The lack of refrigerated storage facilities also caused difficulties in ensuring the milk remained fresh, with some schools unable to store the milk adequately.
Disruptions in the Distribution Schedule
The original plan of distributing milk twice a week was met with resistance from some school administrators, as it disrupted regular schedules. Due to these challenges, some schools chose to offer students eight cartons of shelf-stable milk once per month, which they considered a more practical solution.
Mixed Reactions to the Discontinuation:
Support for the Government’s Decision
The National Federation of Teachers Unions supported the Cabinet’s decision to discontinue the program, praising the government’s responsiveness to public opinion. In a statement, the federation emphasized that good intentions alone do not make for good policy and that governmental actions should not turn schools into “political ATMs.”
Opposition from NGOs
On the other hand, organizations like the Action Alliance on Basic Education and the John Tung Foundation argued that the initiative should have been refined, not canceled. They highlighted the ongoing issue of calcium deficiencies among elementary school children in Taiwan and believed that the policy could have been improved to address these concerns.
Local Government Protests
Local governments, especially in Chiayi and Yunlin counties, expressed frustration over the last-minute cancellation of their subsidies for the program. They called on the central government to reconsider the decision, with some proposing alternative solutions to ensure children’s nutritional needs were met.
Next Steps and Alternative Proposals:
Remaining Budget to Support Dairy Industry
Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu Wen-jane announced that the remaining budget for the program would be redirected in consultation with the dairy industry to find the best use for the funds.
Voucher System Proposal
Taipei Department of Education Commissioner Tang Chih-min suggested that the government consider distributing milk vouchers to students. These vouchers could be exchanged for milk at convenience stores, offering a more flexible solution to meet students’ calcium intake needs.
Table: Key Aspects of the ‘Fresh Milk for Every Class’ Program
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Launch | September 2023 |
| Target Group | Elementary school students across Taiwan |
| Program Budget | NT$4.4 billion (US$134.8 million) |
| Original Goal | Increase calcium intake and support local dairy industry |
| Main Challenges | Supply shortages, lack of refrigerated storage, distribution disruptions |
| Proposed Alternatives | Milk vouchers for students, reallocation of budget to dairy industry |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Why is the ‘fresh milk for every class’ program being discontinued?
The program is being halted due to mixed feedback from teachers, parents, and local governments. Key issues included supply shortages, inadequate storage space, and disruptions caused by the twice-weekly milk distribution schedule.
2. What were the goals of the program?
The initiative aimed to improve students’ calcium intake and support Taiwan’s local dairy industry, with the additional aim of preparing Taiwan for the upcoming removal of milk import tariffs from New Zealand in 2025.
3. What alternative proposals have been suggested to address the calcium intake issue?
Local governments have proposed distributing milk vouchers to students, which could be exchanged at convenience stores. The remaining program budget may also be used to support Taiwan’s dairy industry.
4. How will the government utilize the remaining program funds?
The remaining funds from the program will be reallocated in consultation with the dairy industry to find the best use of the budget.
5. What are the next steps for the government regarding student nutrition?
The government is exploring alternatives to ensure children’s nutritional needs are met, including possibly implementing a voucher system for milk.
Conclusion:
The discontinuation of the “fresh milk for every class” initiative has stirred mixed reactions across Taiwan. While some applaud the government’s responsiveness to public feedback, others argue that the policy should have been refined rather than canceled. As Taiwan continues to focus on improving students’ health and nutrition, alternative solutions, including the use of milk vouchers, are being explored to ensure the policy’s goals are still met in a more practical manner.
