Free meals for P5 kids

P5 pupils in Monklands are now part of the scheme offering free school meals to youngsters.

Children from P1-4 already benefited from the initiative, with Primary Four pupils being added to the scheme last August.

Councillor Stephen Mccabe of COSLA said:“local authorities will continue to work hard to ensure that children and young people have access to healthy and nourishing meals so that they are fully able to learn, play, and engage with their peers and communities.”

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) believes that the scheme now needs to be accelerated for all children across the country.

A spokesperson for the organisation said:“the EIS welcomes the expansion of free school meals to all Primary 4 children at the beginning of this academic session and the imminent expansion to Primary 5s.

“But it is clear that provision needs to be extended and accelerated to be inclusive of all young people at all stages of school in Scotland as an urgent priority.”