A majority of 62 MKs versus 4 opponents and two abstainers
approved the nutrition-program law in second and third
readings in the Knesset plenum on Monday.
According to the law, students enrolled at schools
participating in the extended-day program will receive hot
lunches. The Education Minister and Finance Minister will
determine which students will be eligible and in which towns
the law would apply.
Project funding will come from an annual allocation set aside
from the Education Ministry budget in addition to
participation by local authorities, donors and parents.
The original law contained a paragraph that excluded the
chareidi education system from the program until MK Rabbi
Moshe Gafni intervened. The final draft of the law does not
distinguish between different education systems and does not
exclude any group of students from the school-lunch
program.
