SCHOOL MEALS AS ONE OF THE MEANS FOR THE EFFECTIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Abstract

School meals constitute a fundamental human right and a strategic public policy for promoting health, food security, and the realization of the right to education. This article aims to analyze the relationship between school meals, learning, and student retention, highlighting the contribution of the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) to the holistic development of children and adolescents. It is a bibliographic and documentary study based on legal and regulatory documents, as well as theoretical frameworks from the fields of education, public health, and food security. The analysis reveals that school meals go beyond merely meeting nutritional needs; they play a significant pedagogical, social, and cultural role by fostering healthy eating habits, valuing food culture, strengthening family farming, and promoting sustainable development. Drawing on the contributions of authors such as Saviani and the guidelines of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population, it is understood that ensuring adequate material conditions—including access to food—is a crucial factor in supporting learning, holistic development, and student retention. The study concludes that the PNAE is an essential public policy for reducing social inequalities and promoting citizenship and social justice, contributing to the construction of a democratic, inclusive, and high-quality public education system, while reaffirming school meals as a fundamental element for human development and the guarantee of children's and adolescents' rights.