Parent asks whether the School Meals Programme is raising funds by charging students for seasonal treats
A few parents have expressed their concern that the government-operated School Meals Programme is seeking to make money by selling dessert items to students.
A source says her daughter called her for money to purchase treats on a day when treats, traditionally, have been distributed.
The woman says she went to the school this morning, Friday, October 28, to inquire about it, and she was told that the School Meals had been selling cake at a cost of $5 and cupcakes for $3.
It has since been confirmed that letters are usually written to a number of schools at this time of the year, advising that certain items will be on sale to the students.
However, it is not clear why this is necessary, since Schools Meals employees are paid by the Government; neither is it known what purpose this money serves.
In her opinion, one mother says, this situation is not right. If the staff is selling treats to fund the purchase of items for the Meals Programme, it is nonsense, she says – given that the Government is responsible for funding.
The parent is asking whether the Gaston Browne Administration is so broke that it is depending on the children’s money to buy foodstuff for the programme.
Ironically, when School Meals were introduced by the United Progressive Party, families were required to pay $1 per day for a child’s meal.
When the Government changed hands, however, Education Minister Michael Browne removed the provision of drinking water and made the meals free. Parents and teachers say the quality of the lunches has steadily dropped, since then, from the standard of “nutrition for learning.”