FREE SCHOOL MEAL ‘STIGMA’ STIFLING UPTAKE - ULSTER TEACHERS’ UNION

Free school meal entitlement could save recession-hit Northern Ireland families up to £50 a month for each child but teachers fears the stigma may be preventing some parents from claiming, according to teachers.

“I was saddened by a new report which showed that pupils would rather go hungry than eat free school meals because of the stigma of poverty,” said Avril Hall Callaghan General Secretary of the Ulster Teachers’ Union.

“The report was compiled by colleagues in Wales but there’s no reason to believe the situation here is much different, as previous statistics show.”

In 2008 an initiative between AdviceNI and the Western Education and Library Board revealed that up to 8,000 across the province were missing out on free school meal entitlement.

“This could amount to as much as £50 per month for each child, where the parent or guardian fails to come forward to apply for their entitlement to Free School Meals,” said Ms Hall Callaghan.

“However, it is clear that some children would rather forgo a meal than risk humiliation from peers because they feel stigmatised.

“What we need are clear guidelines on how best to implement a stigma-free meals system.

“Some schools use a ‘cashless system’ which seems to work well and this could be one solution but schools need advice and support.

“We know from research that the aspirations of children in poverty are the same as those from better off families when they are seven or eight years old, but by 10 or 11 their aspirations are significantly lower.

“There’s a perception too that young people living in poverty have of themselves - that financial security and a career is something that 'other people' have.

“Teachers need the training and support to identify and intervene at an early stage to help young people living in poverty.

"Teachers must be fully equipped to support these people so that they are given the best possible chances.”