'Action needed to address serious school meals problems'

Aontú Ballyarnett representative Emmet Doyle has called for fundamental change in how school meals are delivered.

His calls followed concerns from parents, and results of a survey which indicated "children across the city are regularly coming home hungry from school".

According to Mr Doyle, the survey answered by almost 500 parents showed they were overwhelmingly dissatisfied with what their children were experiencing".

“I have been contacted in recent weeks by parents with stories of how their children are coming home hungry from school on a regular basis, that depending on what time they get their lunch at school there is very little food left, and that what is being offered to children is below expected standards," said Mr Doyle.

"One respondent commented: 'My son refuses now to go to canteen as it’s pointless queuing for a long period to get nothing. He takes in lunch although is entitled to free school meals'.

"Another noted: 'My child regularly comes home from school complaining of being hungry, saying that they didn't have enough food left, so they only got a small amount, I am disappointed that for £3.10 per dinner my child is still feeling hungry, which affects their concentration levels"

"I have been sent photos of children getting three chicken nuggets for their lunch, paying over the odds for bottles of water and constant stories of parents reverting to sending their child in with a packed lunch despite getting free school meals because of the situation," said Mr Doyle.

A school meal photograph submitted by a parent to Aontú survey.

"The testimonials I have received clearly tell me that in many instances, the EA’s own rules around nutrition are not being followed," he added.

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"I undertook a survey of parents to get a wider picture of the problem and the outcome was clear – 88% of parents reported their children coming home hungry.  Some do not know what their child is being offered to eat at school, and there is a considerable financial burden on parents to top up their child's accounts for food, even those on free school meals.

"Let me be the first to say that this is a problem emanating from the Education Authority, not schools themselves.  We all know our schools and their canteen staff work under pressure and do the best they can, but the system is broken.

"I have spoken to the Chair of the Education Authority Board and will soon be meeting the overall management of the catering service to show the pictures parents have sent me and to share comments left by parents on the survey, some of which are unacceptable. 

"Children and parents need to be satisfied that this service is being managed with nutrition and wellbeing in mind, as well as financial viability for households, and I am committed to working towards positive change for all those affected.”