The RMI government officially opened a newly renovated multi-purpose cafeteria and upgraded commercial-grade kitchen equipment at Northern Islands High School Monday this week.
This milestone marked a significant step forward in strengthening student well-being, learning environments, and community engagement.
The ceremony opened with acknowledgements to national leaders, traditional leaders, local government officials, church leaders, community members, and development partners whose support made these improvements possible.
The extensive renovation of the NIHS multi-purpose cafeteria was made possible through the support of the World Bank, under the RMI Education and Skills Strengthening Project. The upgraded facility will serve as a central hub for nutritious meals, school celebrations, extracurricular activities, after school tutoring, staff collaboration, and family and community engagement.
“With this cafeteria, and with education, we can help each other address the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, not just for our students, but the wider community and the Marshall Islands,” said Education Minister Gerald M. Zackios.
“It is a space full of possibilities — one that nurtures student relationships, supports staff collaboration, and strengthens student well-being, engagement, learning, and achievement.”
In addition, NIHS celebrated the installation of new commercial-grade kitchen equipment, provided by the Republic of China (Taiwan) through the International Cooperation and Development Fund under the Enhancing Nutrition Balance Through Agricultural Production Project. These upgrades significantly improve the capacity for hygienic food preparation and support the delivery of healthier, more nutritious meals to students.
Working closely with the Taiwan Technical Mission to the RMI, NIHS is now able to actively promote healthy eating habits, nutrition awareness, and increased use of local produce harvested from school gardens, reducing reliance on imported foods and strengthening food sustainability.
Through improved facilities and healthier food options, NIHS is not only feeding students but teaching them practical skills and knowledge to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases for themselves, their families, and their communities, said the Public School System in a release.
These efforts support national actions to address the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, the leading cause of death and disability in the Marshall Islands, including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which increasingly affect young people.
“These two distinct projects share one unified vision: enhancing the health, education, and overall quality of life for our students and our nation,” Minister Zackios emphasized.
The initiative aligns with the Social and Culture Pillar of the RMI National Strategic Plan, which highlights the importance of strengthening resilience by improving health, education, and well-being.
Zackios recognized the donors and people who made the new facilities possible, including: The World Bank, Taiwan Ambassador Herbert W. M. Hsu, Taiwan Technical Mission/ICDF, RMI Shipping Corporation, Project Management Unit of the Ministry of Works, Infrastructure, and Utilities, Glen Araves, GM Contractors and Wotje Atoll Local Government, traditional leaders, NIHS administration, staff, church partners, and supporting community members.