The Chamber of Deputies wants 100 million euros from the Ministry of Education for free lunches in schools in vulnerable neighborhoods. During the General Political Reflections, this proposal received sufficient support from Volt and D66.
The money for the free lunch is to be found in the ministry’s budget, according to the parties.
“There are children in the Netherlands who will be taken to school tomorrow without food,” says D66 party president Jan Paternotte. “On an empty stomach in class, it’s not appropriate. Nothing should stand in the way of children’s development.”
Volt foreman Laurens Dassen calls it “an important first step” if there really is money for school canteens, but he also says that, as far as he is concerned, it doesn’t stop there. “Because in the end we want all children to be able to go to school with a full stomach.” Schools are not obliged to provide lunch for students.
The government is working on the proposal. Prime Minister Mark Rutte called it a “comprehensive proposal”.
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