Parents of primary school students in Sour El-Ghozlane, a commune in southern Bouira province, Algeria, are expressing concern over the poor quality of meals being served to their children. According to the local representative of the National Organization of Parents, cold meals have been served in all primary schools in the commune since the start of the academic year. The meals consist of a small piece of bread, a box of yogurt, and two or three portions of cheese.
The parents and various associations have alerted local authorities to the situation through several written complaints, but to no avail. The students are not even allowed to consume the meals within the school canteens and are instead asked to leave the premises once served. This has resulted in students often eating outside or taking their meals home, which can be detrimental to their education and overall well-being.
A parent from the Abd El-Hamid Ben Badis primary school in the town center described the situation as worrying, stating that students are often seen with small sandwiches and yogurt pots when they leave school. The parent expressed hope that authorities would intervene to resolve the issue, which is affecting children's education, particularly during the winter season.
The mayor of Sour El-Ghozlane attributed the problem to the failure of the contracted supplier to provide the necessary food products. The municipal services subsequently terminated the contract and opted for an alternative provider. However, the process was delayed due to a legal challenge from the original supplier.
The mayor assured parents that the issue would be resolved once the students return from their winter break. In the meantime, parents are calling for urgent action to address the situation and ensure that their children receive nutritious meals that support their education and health.
The issue has sparked concerns over the impact on students' education and nutrition, particularly during the winter months. The local authorities' response to the situation will be crucial in resolving the issue and ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed academically.
The situation in Sour El-Ghozlane highlights the challenges faced by some schools in providing adequate facilities and services to students. The authorities' ability to address the issue will be closely watched by parents and education advocates.
Key points
- Algerian authorities are under pressure to resolve a meal crisis affecting primary school students in Sour El-Ghozlane.
- The poor quality meals have sparked concerns over the impact on students' education and nutrition.
- The local authorities have attributed the problem to the failure of a contracted supplier and are working to resolve the issue.
