Hunger Warning Issued

Thousands of children are going hungry and it's impacting on their ability to learn, that's the warning from Scotland's largest teaching union.

According to the EIS, there's been a sharp rise in the number of young people arriving at school without having had a proper breakfast.

Figures show one in five children in Fife is in poverty.

EIS Local Associations across Scotland have been holding foodbank drives in their local areas during the festive season, while also running letter and email writing campaigns emphasising the growing use of foodbanks and highlighting the impact of hunger on young people's ability to concentrate on their learning. The EIS is also preparing advice to members on how they can support young people in their establishment who are affected by hunger.
 
Education Convener Susan Quinn said: "We are seeing a huge rise in the number of young people coming in to school without having had a proper breakfast. In Glasgow, one child in two is now meeting at least one of the criteria that indicate they are living in poverty. Half of all the children in our largest city, that is why we must act."
 
EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: "The EIS is committed to working in partnership to reduce the impact of poverty on young people in our schools, colleges and universities. All young people deserve a fair chance to reach their potential, but the reality is that many children across Scotland are coming to school hungry and this is having a detrimental impact on their ability to learn. Scotland has a particularly high percentage of young people who are living in poverty, and this is particularly acute in some parts of the country where levels of deprivation are well above the national average. 

"The so called 'age of austerity' and the actions of government have made the problems of poverty even more acute for many families. Low wages, sub-inflation pay awards, the soaring price of living and an ideologically driven attack on the welfare state have all combined to push even more people, including many children, into poverty. It is simply unacceptable, in a modern and affluent country, for any child to have to come to school hungry. Action is needed now to reduce the impact of poverty and to provide all children with a fair chance to succeed."

Free school meals will be rolled our for all primary 1 to 3 pupils from next year.

Mr Flanagan said: "The EIS joined with others to campaign for free school meals to be extended to all children in primaries one to three. It is extremely welcome that the Scottish Government has listened, and is working with local authorities to roll out free meals to young primary children in all parts of the country. Providing all pupils in P1 to P3 with a free school meal is a significant and positive step, which will aid family budgets, bring important health benefits for young children and help pupils to concentrate on their learning throughout the school day. It is now essential that all local authorities deliver on this commitment, and ensure that our young people have free access to a healthy and nutritionally balanced meal during the school day."