West Dunbartonshire Council breakfast club plans scrambled by teachers

Jul 10 2009 by Amanda McKendrick, Lennox Herald (main ed)

TEACHERS have blocked a plan to introduce breakfast clubs at every school in the area.

Thousands of children were set to benefit from the scheme – announced in the SNP’s February budget – which was to be introduced at ALL 42 primary and secondary schools in West Dunbartonshire from August.

But while the cash is in place for the clubs – which deliver a nutritious breakfast and boost attainment and attendance – some teachers have refused to back the proposal.

A council insider said: “The idea of a breakfast club in every school was warmly welcomed by parents, especially working mums and dads.

“It was thought that it was simply a case of providing the cash for the scheme to be expanded, but teachers and headteachers have to agree to having the club in their schools as they have to give up their time to operate the club.

“Some teachers just weren’t prepared to do it and that has put an end to the idea.”

The clubs, which open at 8am, Monday to Friday, currently operate in 27 schools.

Just three additional primary schools – Gartocharn, Gavinburn and St Stephen's in Clydebank – have agreed to introduce the scheme in August although another two schools, Christie Park and Dalreoch, have expressed an interest.

Councillor Ronnie McColl said: “We want to have breakfast clubs in every school but very much rely on the support of staff to run them and, as it is voluntary, we cannot force anyone to do it.

“If a school does not want to have a club there is not a lot we can do about it.”

“The budget is there to do it and we are going in the right direction, although it is maybe not going as far as we would have liked it.”

Every Primary 1 to 3 pupil will be served a free school lunch when they return to school in August.