Drive to improve school meals continues after ‘rushed’ survey

A Fife Council survey of school meals has been described as not good enough by the pupil who kickstarted a campaign to improve menu choices.

The survey, which followed scathing criticism of the region’s school dinners last year, had a participation rate of 16%.

A total of 304 pupils gave feedback out of the 1,926 who attend Lochgelly and Beath high schools.

Last May, Lochgelly High School pupil and local member of the Scottish Youth Parliament Bailey-Lee Robb convinced Cowdenbeath area councillors to take action on the issue after describing some of the food offered up at schools as “disgusting”.

He said the survey, which canvassed opinion about the quality of school meals and reasons for lack of uptake, had been poorly timed, having been “rushed” in the run-up to Christmas.

He added: “I’d like to express disappointment because education officers did know about this survey back in May.

“Sixteen per cent is not very accurate. I thought it would have been about 30% at least.”

At the recent area committee meeting, Labour councillor Mary Lockhart highlighted the figure of 52% for those choosing not to eat at school.

“That’s not acceptable,” she said.

A core group of pupils representing Lochgelly and Beath high schools is to be set up and will update councillors on the progress being made to improve school meals.

In his report to the committee, service manager Neil Finnie said education and facilities management teams would meet twice in the next year to discuss improvements.