Thursday 21 November 2024
 3.7°C   NNE Gentle Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Education / More than 400 free breakfasts a day being given out in Shetland secondary schools

AROUND 450 free breakfasts are being served every day for young people in Shetland’s secondary schools.

The initiative launched last year as a trial and has since been expanded into break times, as well as before the school day starts.

Shetland Islands Council confirmed in February that the trial would run until the end of term.

It had been funded by the Scottish Government’s Islands Emergency Cost Crisis Fund.

Kitchen staff in high schools and junior high schools in Shetland are providing a hot drink, a choice of cereals, toast and fruit for secondary pupils.

Speaking at a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s education and families committee on Monday, Shetland North councillor Tom Morton asked whether the high uptake was a “worrying sign” of pressures some parents find themselves under with the cost of living.

The Labour member also asked if there was research on the effect of schemes like these. “You can’t learn on an empty stomach,” he said.

Children services director Helen Budge said there are studies that show the benefits of breakfasts – but she raised the suggestion of Shetland youngsters being surveyed on their experience of receiving free breakfasts.

She said there was not much of an uptake to begin with but the expansion saw more pupils join in.

There is monitoring of the uptake of free school meals in schools.

“We really see the benefit of the use of that funding,” Budge said.

Council leader Emma Macdonald said she hopes that the funding from the government continues into the future.

“I think it’s really important that as a council we make sure the Scottish Government know how valued that money was to the community,” she said.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.