Rising school meal prices could put added pressure on families

Students and teachers have said that an almost 20% increase in the cost of school meals will have a "significant impact" on families.

Under savings plans announced by the Education Authority (EA), the cost of school meals for primary and special school pupils will rise from £2.60 to £3.10, an increase of 50p.

Post-primary pupils will have to pay 19% more for food bought from the school canteen, while pre-school prices will also increase.

Tracey Rossborough, a senior teacher at Ashfield Girls' High School in Belfast, said she was concerned that families would not be able to afford the increase.
Students who receive free school meals will not be affected by the price increases, which will come into effect from January 2026.
"We probably have three or four children from the same family, so that's quite a significant increase over the week and over the month," Ms Rossborough said.

She said that "for some of our young people, this will be their main meal of the day," adding that this makes the situation even more worrying.

She said the options available in the canteen allow students to make healthy choices and "if that option is taken away from our young people and our families, that would be a real concern for us."

Sophie is a student at Ashfield Girls' High School and uses the canteen every day.

Sophie said: "I understand the cost of ingredients and the effort that goes into making the lunches, but I still think it's important to keep the price as low as possible and to consider everyone and make the price fair for everyone."