SINN Féin’s Education spokesperson Karen Mullan has called on the Education Minister Peter Weir to put plans in place to ensure all children who are attending schools can get a hot meal.
The Foyle MLA said she was concerned that the children of key workers who are still attending have not been receiving school meals.
Only vulnerable pupils and the children of key workers are able to attend nursery, primary and post-primary schools until the February mid-term break.
According to guidance issued by the Education Authority as new remote learning measures came into force, there will be no specific provision of school meals for vulnerable children or children of key workers still attending schools.
Said Karen Mullan: “While the majority of children are not currently at school because of the COVID-19 restrictions and parents of children entitled to free school meals are receiving a direct payment, children of some key workers are still attending school and concerns have been raised that some are not receiving hot meals.
“I have spoken to the Education Authority on this issue and reiterated the importance of children receiving hot meals at school in a safe and responsible way.
“It is up to the Education Minister to put contingency plans in place to ensure children who are currently attending schools can get a hot meal while at school.”
Tags: