Minister "unable" to act on students' free school meals call

Tuesday 08 February 2022

The Education Minister says he cannot commit to providing free meals to all children from low-income families by the start of the new academic year because not all schools have an appropriate servery area.

Deputy Scott Wickenden also said that it would not be possible to secure funding on time.

His comments came in response to a letter signed by 500 students from Victoria College calling for free school meals for all students whose parents claim Income Support, regardless of which school they attend.

Sent in November by Charles Maloney on behalf of the students, the letter referred to the similar initiative brought to the attention of the British government by Marcus Rashford and quoted statistics highlighting a need to do more for the nutrition of children in Jersey.

Pictured: Deputy Scott Wickenden, Education Minister, wrote that the request to extend the provision of free school lunches "cannot all be done in 2022”.

Since 2019, the Caring Cooks of Jersey charity has collaborated with the Government to offer a pilot scheme offering free meals for eligible students at Janvrin, Samarès and St. Luke’s primary schools. 

It was recently announced that the initiative would be extended to St. Martin’s and St. Peter’s schools. But VCJ students said they wanted this to apply across all schools by September 2022.

The Education Minister has now responded to the letter, claiming that the Government was “moving in the right direction” to achieve these aims but that it “cannot all be done in 2022”. 

Multiple reasons were given, including the need for data to be gleaned from the pilot scheme and the scale of the task in “procuring and building 19 more serveries and a supplier who can deliver thousands of meals per day”.

It was noted, however, that timing was the main issue, rather than “a lack of understanding, lack of funds or lack of political support”. 

“Ministers need a solid evidence base from the pilot to create any required business case for funds to expand provision and properly plan procurement. We must also ensure the safety, quality and nutrition that we all want,” Deputy Wickenden wrote.

The reply was sent on 31 January.

A Government spokesperson said the Minister regretted the time it took to get back to the students on their request.

“Unfortunately due to a busy end to the school term and disruptive start to the new school term, due to covid pressures, the Minister didn’t get the opportunity to respond and sincerely apologises to the students who have worked hard to bring this forward," they said.

They added that the Minister "has requested to meet the students next week at their school to discuss this important issue."

The original letter can be read in full here, and the Education Minister’s reply can be read in full here.