DURING DEBATE LAST WEEK, Opposition Member of Parliament Gline Clarke called for the extension of the School Meals Service to secondary schools.
Clarke said even if a small fee were charged, there were children who were going to school hungry and that should not happen as Barbados celebrates its 50th anniversary of Independence.
The Barbados Labour Party representative for St George North also encouraged parents, where possible, to take and collect their children from school because “anything goes” on the school buses.
Online readers weighed in on the two issues.
Cherylann R Johnson: I think that the school meals should be paid for at the beginning of each week. If the primary schools pay $1 per week, the secondary schools should pay $1.50. As for bus fare, I still maintain that the children whose parents can afford to pay should pay at least $1 bus fare. The others whose parents can’t should be issued with a ticket every Friday so they can get to school the following week.
Shirley-Ann LJ Coppin: They should also implement payment cards for secondary students which can be used to pay for Government school meals. Parents obviously will top up these cards on a weekly basis. It will also produce jobs. It’s about time secondary schools have proper school canteens. And this should be in all schools.
Sherel Gaskin: [You] really think those children want school meals? Are you all aware of the amount of food that is thrown in the garbage by the primary school kids? Oh please. I think the welfare system can be put in place to help the ones who can’t afford lunch; I think it is already in place at some schools.
Burke Candy: That is a great idea. Hungry children should never be in school; it is a waste of time. Hungry stomachs spend the day making the brains angry.
Sonja N Lynton: Only free meals to those who can’t afford. Wearing brand name, expensive phones and taxpayers to feed them. That’s crazy.
Petal Ifill: Instead of putting free bus fare for children, it should be free school meals and I think children should start paying $1 for bus to go to school.
Michele Richards: Good idea. Too many children in schools are restless, lacklustre and disruptive due to hunger and poor nutrition.
• Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.