Concerns are being expressed about the nutritional value of the school feeding programme.

St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen raised questions during a recent Standing Finance Committee meeting, where she noted an increase in the cost of raw materials and no increase in the budgetary allocation for the meals.

She expressed concerns that, given no corresponding adjustment in funding, there is a risk that caterers may be forced to “stretch ingredients”, reducing the nutritional value.

MP Ameen warned that children’s health and academic success depend on their ability to access balanced, healthy meals.