The Ministry of Education started its public school program yesterday. As promised by President Hipólito Mejía when campaigning for president, mashed plantains (mangú) and eggs were served. The idea is to serve a more Dominican-style breakfast to children living in areas where these staples are produced. On the menu will be yucca, plantain and squash cakes in addition to mangú, juice and milk. Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch, who is also the Minister of Education visited a public school in northcentral Moca where a mangú, eggs and milk breakfast was served. The Ministry said this had a cost of RD$2.85 per child. The program seeks to reach out to 900,000 children nationwide. The program serves as an incentive for parents to send their children to school, in addition to preparing the children for the day’s hard school work.
