Public school canteens asked to unify food rates

Manama : The Education Ministry yesterday issued a stern warning to school canteen contractors against unjust increases in food prices, after a group of students in a secondary boys’ school in the Capital boycotted their school canteen in protest. 

Following the incident, the ministry in a meeting with canteen contractors warned that it would cancel all the contracts if they fail to comply with the agreed prices and health regulations. 

The ultimatum was given by Ministry’s Public and Technical Education Assistant Undersecretary Latifa Al Bunotha.The decision came a few days after the students of Ahmed Al Umran Secondary Boys’ School students boycotted their school canteen after the contractor unjustly increased the food prices there. 

The matter was widely shared and discussed on social networks. 

The meeting also discussed the current situations of the school canteens and the complaints received.

Al Bunotha said that unified food prices are to implemented at the school canteens to make them affordable for all students, which was agreed by the contractors. 

The Assistant Undersecretary also required the contractors to ensure healthy food choices at the canteens and strictly adhere to the terms mentioned in the agreements signed. 

According to Education Ministry, complaints against school canteens’ contractors are on the rise, lately.