WITH pupils across the country having gone back to school, 19,591 pupils in Fife will be eligible for free school meals this year many of them from the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.
Throughout Scotland, over 250,000 pupils will be eligible for free school lunches – a figure that has doubled in the last three years.
Through an SNP Government initiative in 2015, all primary 1-3 pupils are eligible for free school meals, which which has proved a huge financial help to families.
Commenting, Kinglassie MSP, Jenny Gilruth, said: “It’s fantastic that 19,591 of school pupils in Fife are eligible for free school meals – an integral part of ensuring that every child gets the best start in life and as much as possible out of their time in the classroom each day.
“Guaranteeing our youngest pupils a healthy meal during the school day helps them to learn and can save families an estimated £380 a year".
The MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes added: “This is just one of the steps the SNP Scottish Government is taking to tackle child poverty and help household incomes – and is an essential part of our central ambition to drive up standards in Scottish schools.
“I wish teachers and pupils alike the best of luck as they start the new academic year.”
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