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Schools set for £30m health kick | Schools set for £30m health kick |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Pupils in Scotland are set to benefit from a £30m investment drive to provide a healthier environment in schools. | |
Education Minister Peter Peacock gave details of the project during a visit to a primary school in Glasgow. | |
Proposed improvements include revamping school canteens, creating better sports facilities and encouraging use of solar panels and wind power. | Proposed improvements include revamping school canteens, creating better sports facilities and encouraging use of solar panels and wind power. |
The Scottish National Party said the move was a "random response" to calls for better food and sports facilities. | |
The education minister mapped out the Scottish Executive's commitment to healthier schools, with emphasis on energy efficiency measures. | |
He also revealed that cashless payment systems would be set up in canteens to provide anonymity for pupils eligible for free school meals. | |
We now need to do all we can to encourage as many pupils as possible to stay in school at lunchtime Peter PeacockEducation Minister | |
Mr Peacock reckons such a measure would encourage pupils to take canteen meals at school. | |
During the visit to Castleton Primary in Castlemilk, Mr Peacock said: "Energy efficient schools can play their part in helping our environment and there is a knock-on benefit for schools themselves. | |
"Recent hikes in energy prices mean an additional squeeze on the extra resources being ploughed into education. | |
"By giving councils more money towards helping to tackle the most energy inefficient school buildings, our schools will be able to concentrate their devolved spending better on books and equipment. | |
Knee-jerk response | |
"The extra cash will also encourage healthier lifestyles among pupils. | |
"Our Hungry for Success programme has revolutionised our school meals and we now need to do all we can to encourage as many pupils as possible to stay in school at lunchtime and take them." | |
The funding will be added to the Schools Fund, which helps councils make improvements to schools in their area. | The funding will be added to the Schools Fund, which helps councils make improvements to schools in their area. |
SNP education spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop said the announcement seemed like a "random and reactive response to calls for better food and more sport in our schools". | |
She added: "Good governance is about delivering a strategic vision for the health and fitness of children in our schools, it's not about knee-jerk responses." | She added: "Good governance is about delivering a strategic vision for the health and fitness of children in our schools, it's not about knee-jerk responses." |
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