THE number of Borders schoolchildren taking free school meals has more than doubled in the past decade.
In 2014/15 a single day census revealed that a total of 1,557 pupils, around 10% of the entire school population, qualified for and received the meals.
The number comprises 997 primary and 560 secondary students.
This represents a 101% increase on the numbers recorded in 2004/05, when 771 students (529 primary and 242) were in receipt of the free meals, and a 93% increase on the 834 (641,193) who took them in 2009/10.
A Freedom of Information response reveals that all nine of the region’s secondary schools use cashless catering cards with three of the nine offering online payment.
Of the 63 primaries, 10 use online payment and ordering. All the others use a weekly confidential envelope ordering system.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article