A new report which shows as the cost-of-living soars, there is a rise in pupil numbers less able to concentrate due to being hungry, cold and tired.
Commenting on the report, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“The latest polling, conducted by Teacher Tapp for the Sutton Trust, examines the issues regarding living costs this autumn term faced by pupils, which teachers see. More families are being pulled into poverty by Government policies. It is increasingly children paying the price.
“In state schools, the poll finds teachers say:
- Three quarters (74 per cent) have seen more pupils unable to concentrate or tired in class.
- Almost seven in ten (67 per cent) have students with behaviour issues.
- 38 per cent have growing numbers of children coming to school hungry.
Shreeve: Free school meals to all primary children first step in tackling epidemic of child hunger
He went on to say,
“These worrying trends reflect what Island teachers have been seeing, namely that the cost-of-living crisis is increasingly affecting more youngsters and their ability to learn.
“In addition, the survey shows noticeable differences between the experiences of teachers in the most deprived schools and in the most affluent. Two thirds of teachers in state schools (67 per cent) think the attainment gap will widen at their school. A concern voiced by many Island teachers working with high numbers of SEND pupils.
“Restrictive eligibility for free school meals has long meant that children have been going hungry. Offering free school meals to all children in primary school would be a welcome first step in tackling the epidemic of child hunger, giving families some breathing room and supporting the education and wellbeing of our children.
“The cost of not doing so will ensure this ‘tsunami of need’ grows further. The Government must rectify its decision not to widen access to free school meals and ensure that every child in primary school gets a hot, healthy meal every day.”
Image: sean gorman under CC BY 2.0
