Universal Free School Meals

[sp1814]

What do you think of this scheme?

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/sep/02/free-school-meal-scheme-begins

I think it's a great idea, but then there are others who might think that free school meals don't make sense for those who can afford to pay.

[woofgang]

I hope that an eye is kept on waste and providing things that as well as being healthy-ish, the kids will actually eat.

[ummmm]

I think it's a good idea.

[Mamyalynne]

When it was last debated on here, I stated I think it is a good idea - I know some don't.

[Prudie]

I think it's a great idea too. I'm sure money could be re-directed from somewhere else to help pay. The need for the return of school kitchens also has the added advantage of providing a little extra local employment opportunities.

[jourdain2]

"Hungry children can't learn." - Margaret McMillan, early 20thC educationalist.
I agree with that. However, I also know how school budgets are stretched so hugely that one Summer term I (amongst others) was driven to buying cheap file paper and pens for my classes - because there was no more paper to write on (result of an Ofsted saying we needed new IT equipment).
Most children do not need free school meals and should not have them paid for. There is no stigma these days to being a 'free-mealer' it is done very sensitively and computerised.

[ichkeria]

It is a very good idea. And of course they aren't "free". Just free at the point of use. Like the NHS, another good idea :-)

[sp1814]

To reduce waste, perhaps there should be a ban on brussels sprouts, cauliflower cheese and rhubarb crumble...which we all know - are comprehensively gross.

[jourdain2]

sp1814 - I love all of those!

[sherrardk]

I think it's a daft idea because if it's that important it should be for all primary school age children. On a personal note, it's going to cause me problems as the things will have school lunch (but not necessarily the same thing as each other) so planning the evening food is going to be tricky.

[New Judge]

As I said in earlier questions, it is one of the barmiest ideas to come from this, one of the barmiest administrations for some time.

It is parents'responsibility to feed their children and nobody should be in a position to not be able to afford to do so. If schools provide meals they should be charged for at the going rate.

[douglas9401]

I'm not sure little Samsaras and Keanus will be able to handle a limited menu that doesn't include chips n curry sauce.
Wayne and Waynetta know their rights and their little treasures have the right to be obese and constipated through eating rubbish.

[cassa333]

I work as a lunch time supervisor in infant school and I can say with out any quarms that there is a large proportion that start school that have never or very rarely sat down to a family meal. And if they have, they have been allowed to just wonder off.


Not that it has much to do with the basic provision of nutritious food but they don't know how to hold a knife and fork, sit to the table or actually eat a meal. We have a real struggle teaching these kids how to sit and eat. And I won't go into their inability to distinguish a sweet from a piece of fruit (but I could lol).

Even the so called afluent families think chocolate sandwiches, chocolate biscuit, cake, and crisps with perhaps a packet of fruit flavoured sweets is a healthy lunch because they PANDER to their children.

It is an endevour, by the present government at least, to ensure that every infant school child (with hopefully a roll out to juniors later) has access to at least one 'healthy' meal a day.

That one meal a day is hardly likely to educate the child properly but it is a start!!

[Old_Geezer]

I dislike it intensely and think it is unjustifiable. Someone who makes a life choice to have offspring should cover the bills to pay for their offspring's needs, not have them in the expectation of handouts from the taxpayer. We have more than enough people here already without yet another incentive to produce more. Genuine welfare needs to the unfortunate is one thing, abusing demanded tax in by giving handouts to favoured members of the community is unacceptable and all involved should apologise and resign. They are clearly unfit to govern.

[sp1814]

New Judge / Old_Geezer

I take your points, but seeing as these kids are getting their minds nourished by our free state education system (at least 'free' at point of service), surely it's not such a big leap to give them dietary nourishment too?

Also, if you start kids young, educating them about food, we might have a chance at staving the obesity epidemic, which is due to hit us in a few years.

Certainly parents *should* take diet seriously - but if they don't, I believe we (as a society) will be in danger of letting these kids down.

[Old_Geezer]

IMO it is a massive leap. They are either side of a line saying what society should cover and what individuals should take responsibility for. We already offer a safety net welfare state. To go further is simply to creep down the slippery slope claiming it's not much change than before. The taxpayer should not be expected to be Lady Bountiful because some politician with a ridiculous suggestion wants to get into the history books at our expense.

[dunnitall]

Agree with NJ and OG after all, we don't force people to have children it's their choice, why should they not pay for their upkeep?

[Boto]

Schools are to educate. If people can't afford to feed their children don't breed.

[mikey4444]

Of course its a good idea but this present government has bolloxed it up, as usual. Bring back free school milk as well ! It was snatched away by a Tory Minister many years ago, but I just can't seem to remember who she was, no matter how hard I try. It will come back to me I'm sure.

The same Government sold off all the school playing fields as well...a greedy short-term solution to the problem of how to fund even more tax cuts for already wealthy people. This has now come back to haunt them. Twas ever thus...vote Tory and get cuts.

[Retrochic]

Anything that introduces young children to healthy eating is a good thing. This, coupled with education in the class on healthy foods right from the start, can only do good. A generation has grown up on ready meals in front of the TV and some parents just have not got the skills to cook a proper meal from scratch. I don't agree the meals should be free right across the board. They should extend the free school meals to everyone on Working Tax Credit, and have a highly subsidized meal for every other child.