The Scottish government has reaffirmed its commitment to provide free school meals to all primary school students by 2024, with the program’s full implementation anticipated by that year.
The Deputy First Minister, Shona Robison, stated that the plan was still in effect, but that limited resources necessitated allocating the funds to alleviate destitution. The new First Minister, Humza Yousaf, echoed this sentiment, urging for expenditure to be effectively targeted at those in greatest need.
Since May 2021, children in grades P4 and P5 receive universally free school meals, saving their families an average of £400 per year. The Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland, Bruce Adamson, applauded the deputy first minister’s commitment but stated that the policy was insufficient.
Paul O’Kane, a Scottish Labour MSP, accused Humza Yousaf of “abandoning promises” by pointing out that there is still concealed hunger in schools and that the government has not yet fulfilled its commitment to provide free school meals for students in grades one through seven.
Clearly, the Scottish government faces a formidable challenge in addressing child poverty and providing sustenance for schoolchildren. While the news that all primary school students will receive free meals is encouraging, more must be done to ensure that secondary school students also benefit from this programme and that funds are effectively allocated to those in greatest need.
