potential damage to children’s health
Proposed withdrawal of free school milk
Published:
MORAY Council appears to be on a collision course with politicians at both Holyrood and Westminster, as well as with the laws of the land, following its proposal to scrap free school milk for children.
The plan, which may put the council in contravention of the 2003 School Meals (Scotland) Act, which compels local authorities to provide nutrition for schoolchildren, would save just £50,000 a year if approved.
Yet the damage it would do to the health of children is far greater than the relatively small sum the council would save. The calcium content of milk is well known for the beneficial effect it has on teeth and, for a generation growing up with a dire shortage of NHS dentists, anything which can protect them for the future has to be welcomed with open arms.
Everyone knows that local authorities right across Scotland are having to make painful cuts, but there are some areas of their work and responsibilities which must be ring-fenced. The health of our children is right at the top of that list.
Only when councillors and officials are absolutely convinced that every other possible saving has been identified should they even consider withdrawing school milk. They are far from at that stage at present.
Readers' Comments
In Clackmannanshire our wonderful schools take on the responsibility of arranging for our children to have milk supplied to them at school, and the parents/guardians take the responsibility of paying the meagre amount required for it each term. The responsibility for balanced nutrition surely lies ultimately with the parents and we have the choice of whether our children either want or need it. Families who are entitled to free school meals for their children are of course, entitled to free milk also. I have no complaints and nor do the children.
Fiona Kessack-Morrison
Report this comment