Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, on 6 February, a press briefing was held at school No. 331 in Tashkent on the launch of a unique educational initiative - a special program for primary schoolchildren “Health Routes”. 

The program is aimed at creating the basis for a culture of nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Participants of the event not only learned about the main objectives of the project, but also attended a culinary master class, where a professional chef taught children how to prepare a tasty and healthy dish. The program was initiated by Nestle Food LLC and is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In Uzbekistan, more and more attention is being paid to promoting the idea of proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle among the younger generation. Thus, within the framework of the State program for the implementation of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022–2026 in the “Year of Caring for People and Quality Education,” the direction related to the education of children and adolescents is considered one of the most important. The Health Routes program can become an effective tool for implementing such a significant social task.

The basis of the program is a special digital course. It includes 30 interactive presentations that teachers use to conduct extracurricular activities with their students throughout the school year. The heroes of the course were two fairy-tale characters - wizards. Together with them, the children will walk along the “Health Routes” to learn about how and why they need to take care of their body and grow strong and strong.

The program is being implemented within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation, signed in 2023, between IP LLC Nestlé Food and the Republican Education Center under the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The authors of the program are experts in the field of education.

During the press briefing, participants became acquainted with the main stages of the implementation of the program and the formats for its implementation. After the press briefing, a cooking lesson took place (as one of the options for conducting classes). Here guests could watch how little chefs prepared delicious and healthy edible boats from vegetables.

“Over the past few years, important decisions have been made by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at strengthening the health of the population. The country’s leadership pays special attention to caring for the health of the younger generation. This task is very difficult and requires the consolidation of social forces and the active participation of society. We are very glad that business does not stand aside in solving important social problems and comes up with such significant and useful initiatives that can make a significant contribution to promoting a culture of health in society,” noted Shokhrukh Saidumarov, chief specialist of the department for coordinating healthy nutrition and medical services of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

“This educational program is part of the global Nestlé initiative. Healthy Children”, implemented in 85 countries around the world. Its goal is to help 50 million children around the world lead healthier lives. Socially responsible businesses always strive to actively participate in society.

Having taken the initiative to introduce the educational program “Health Routes”, we strive not in words, but in deeds, to participate in solving a very important social task - the formation of a healthy future in Uzbekistan. And we are grateful to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republican Education Center for their support in the implementation of the project,” noted Sergey Lysyuk, General Director of IP LLC Nestlé Food.

“The main tool for teaching schoolchildren is digital interactive presentations. Quizzes, tests, funny videos, as well as funny characters - all this undoubtedly attracts the attention of the children and helps us convince them that proper nutrition is not only healthy, but also fun and interesting.

An important focus of the project is getting to know the traditions and customs of national cuisine. Because in this way we cultivate not only a food culture, but also a sense of pride and respect for the history of our country and our people,” said Alexandra Makeeva, head of educational programs at Nestlé in Eurasia.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, the “Health Routes” program will cover 35 schools from eight regions of Uzbekistan - Andijan (Andijan), Bukhara (Bukhara), Kashkadarya (Karshi), Namangan (Namangan), the Republic of Karakalpakstan ( Nukus), Samarkand (Samarkand), Fergana (Fergana) and Tashkent.

The Health Routes program is being implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan as part of the global initiative Nestlé. Healthy Children”, which covers 85 countries. The program is being implemented under the general and methodological guidance of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It is aimed at children aged 7–8 years and is included in the basic science course.

In the 2023–24 academic year, the program will cover 35 schools from eight regions of the Republic. “Health Routes” is an updated version of the school program on proper nutrition, which was implemented in schools in Uzbekistan in 2013–2018.