News item | 19-09-2023 | 16:23
There will also be free school meals next year for students who need it most. Minister Paul of Primary and Secondary Education, Minister Schouten of Poverty Policy, Participation and Pensions and State Secretary Van Ooijen of Health, Welfare and Sport are jointly investing 166 million euros in this.
Last March, we started offering free breakfast or lunch at primary and secondary schools. The program will continue for the participating schools in 2024. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is investing 102.5 million, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment 52.5 million, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport 10 million euros, and another 1 million euros from the general resources is intended for Caribbean Netherlands.
These are schools where at least 30% or more of the students come from a family with a low income. All students in special primary education, secondary special education, special education and practical education are eligible. More than 1,600 schools now participate in free school meals, thanks to the efforts of the Youth Education Fund and the Red Cross. These parties will also take up implementation in 2024. The free school meals program will also be continued in the Caribbean Netherlands in 2024.
Minister Mariëlle Paul (OCW): “For some families it is difficult to make ends meet. To prevent financial worries from spilling over into the classroom, we are continuing free school meals, because a good meal really makes a difference. Children are more energetic in class and pay much more attention during lessons. To relieve schools of their worries, school contacts from the Youth Education Fund and the Red Cross can help think about the organization of school meals, so that teachers can simply be in front of the classroom.”
Minister Carola Schouten (SZW): “Children who start the school day on an empty stomach have difficulty concentrating all day long. School performance suffers as a result, leaving you three to zero behind at a very young age. Free school meals help children participate better in class, and help parents who are struggling to make ends meet. Especially in education, it is important to create equal opportunities, so that children have a strong foundation for their future.”
State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen (VWS): “Good and regular eating is the foundation for a healthy school day in which you as a child can fully learn, move, play and grow. It is great that we can give children and parents who need it extra and healthy support in this way.”
Schools can choose to have a meal at school or a meal at home. They have the freedom to organize this in a way that best suits their students. Options include working with volunteers who prepare the food and can receive a volunteer allowance for this, or using caterers. Schools can also choose to provide grocery cards with which a family can buy food at the supermarket. Parents can register for this at the school. The cards can be exchanged in all supermarkets.
More information can be found at joint website of the Red Cross and the Youth Education Fund. An evaluation of the free school meals program will follow this autumn.