Bandar Seri Begawan - The Head of the Health Promotion Centre, Dayang Hajah Jamilah bind Hj Mohd Ali, in her capacity as the Acting Assistant Director of the Schools Department at the Ministry of Education said, "A programme for enhancing the quality of preparing food and beverages for canteens in schools and colleges", will take place in stages and will consist of a briefing, a demonstration and a workshop to ensure all parties' understanding.

She added that as part of the follow-up for its implementation, all schools are encourage to take the initiative by (for example) organising 'Healthy School Canteen Day' or presenting 'Healthy Canteen Recognition Awards', and invited food specialists to provide guidance and advice on how to make this a reality. In addition, she said that a canteen competition will be held by the end of 2015.

The competition will be open to all schools and colleges nationwide and will be based on several criteria such as cleanliness, health, safety and financial management.

The programme will involve principals, school staff, parents, students and canteen operators.

The briefing for the programme will be facilitated by officers representing several departments at the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports for the purpose of enhancing basic understanding on the importance of cleanliness, health and food safety aspects of food and beverages at schools and colleges.