This from Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union. Ed
Nearly one-third of primary school teachers are seeing more hungry pupils in class, finds the recent National Foundation for Education Research (NFER) report.
Commenting, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“It’s an issue Isle of Wight members have been highlighting for years. Children arriving at school hungry, to be supported by staff out of their own pockets.
“Recently a parent told me their child missed their teacher after they retired. Not unusual as bonds with education staff can be strong. But why I asked. It was nothing to do with teaching. The teacher regularly gave the pupil money to buy lunch. The teacher recognised their daily struggle with hunger. They saw it affected their pupil’s ability to concentrate and learn.”
He added,
“Hardly a surprise. NFER research shows: Nearly one in five primary teachers are providing food or clothes. This says everything we need to know about the impact of child poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.
“Last month the Trussell Trust reported the doubling of food parcels supplied in the last five years – more than 3.1 million in the year ending March 2024. Over a third went to children.
“Why has child poverty and child hunger been permitted to grow during this Government’s 14 years in office?”
He finished by saying,
“The NEU in our General Election manifesto for education is calling on all political parties to commit to ending child poverty and hunger. The London ‘Free School Meals for All’ programme recently introduced for primary pupils is a success.
“Every political decision can have lasting, wide-reaching consequences. Our choices impact on how we are remembered. Allowing child poverty and child hunger to grow is unacceptable. Future MPs, let’s create positive consequences and guarantee a free, nutritious school lunch for every child.”
