Pupils develop a growing appetite for school meals

GROWING numbers of pupils in the Capital are opting to take school meals – though the uptake still falls short of the Scottish average.

The percentage of primary pupils taking school meals in 2009 was 38.9, compared with 37.8 the previous year.

Despite the slight increase, the uptake was still significantly lower than the national average of 48.9 per cent.

In secondary schools, uptake rose from 22 per cent to 23 per cent, while the national average was 39.1 per cent.

City education leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said: "This is only a snapshot of the situation so can only provide so much information but it's good to see uptake is increasing."