YILAN (TVBS News) — Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-chien (張廖萬堅) confirmed on Tuesday (July 16) that domestically produced milk will be provided to children aged three to 12 at kindergartens and elementary schools starting in September.
Chang Liao stated that the ministry is currently assessing the needs of each school. For students with lactose intolerance or who cannot drink milk, soy milk will be available as an alternative. He emphasized that cities and counties will complete these assessments by the end of July.
Regarding remote schools, Chang Liao noted that due to transportation and storage challenges, each school will assess whether fresh milk is suitable. If not, they will provide long-life milk. He confirmed that the milk supply plan, starting in September, aims to reach a twice-weekly supply frequency by the end of the year.
Addressing concerns about the policy's coverage being limited to public elementary school-affiliated kindergartens, Chang Liao explained that kindergartens have significant autonomy in meal provision and many already supply milk. Local governments can assess the needs of other preschool education institutions and consider adjustments in a second phase of the policy.
