Rise in poor and hungry schoolchildren prompts demands for government action
Teachers are personally providing food and money for children living in poverty, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has learned.
A rise in the number of children arriving at school hungry and lacking basic provisions has prompted demands for urgent and decisive action from Scotland’s governments.
Andrea Bradley, EIS assistant secretary for education and equality, said: “Urgent and decisive action at all levels of government is essential to prevent further damage. Children’s education and life chances cannot continue to be sacrificed in the name of austerity.”
The EIS survey found over half (51%) of teachers had either personally helped poorer pupils or know a colleague who has, while 49% said their school had stepped in.
Assistance included providing food, buying clothes, providing spending money for school trips and organising food bank donations.
Image: Justine Warrington, Flickr