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18/06/2013
Number Of Free School Meals Increases
2012/13 saw an increase in the number of children taking up free meals in Northern Ireland, according to the Department of Education.
The Department has published statistics on the uptake of school meals in schools, commonly known as the School Meals census.
The findings show that across all sectors (excluding special schools), 79,810 pupils (25.0% of the total school roll) were entitled to free school meals. This showed an increase of 6,496 (8.9%) on the previous year.
The primary/preparatory sector showed the highest increase.
This, says the Department, is likely due to the extension of the eligibility criteria for free school meal entitlement in 2010/11.
There were 66,737 free school meals taken by pupils across all sectors, representing 39.7% of all meals. This is an increase of 7,113 on the previous year, mainly due to the increase in pupils entitled to free schools meals.
The percentage of free school meals was highest in the Belfast Education and Library Board area at 53.7%, and lowest in the Southern Education and Library Board area at 32.9%.
When considering the number of free school meals taken by pupils as a proportion of the number of pupils entitled to free school meals, uptake of free school meals was 81.4%.
This is an increase of 2.6 percentage points on the previous year.
Uptake of school meals in schools in Northern Ireland is higher than that of Scotland or England for both primary and post-primary schools.
(IT/MH)
The Department has published statistics on the uptake of school meals in schools, commonly known as the School Meals census.
The findings show that across all sectors (excluding special schools), 79,810 pupils (25.0% of the total school roll) were entitled to free school meals. This showed an increase of 6,496 (8.9%) on the previous year.
The primary/preparatory sector showed the highest increase.
This, says the Department, is likely due to the extension of the eligibility criteria for free school meal entitlement in 2010/11.
There were 66,737 free school meals taken by pupils across all sectors, representing 39.7% of all meals. This is an increase of 7,113 on the previous year, mainly due to the increase in pupils entitled to free schools meals.
The percentage of free school meals was highest in the Belfast Education and Library Board area at 53.7%, and lowest in the Southern Education and Library Board area at 32.9%.
When considering the number of free school meals taken by pupils as a proportion of the number of pupils entitled to free school meals, uptake of free school meals was 81.4%.
This is an increase of 2.6 percentage points on the previous year.
Uptake of school meals in schools in Northern Ireland is higher than that of Scotland or England for both primary and post-primary schools.
(IT/MH)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
