Slovenia is considering introducing free lunches for all schoolchildren, but there is a serious obstacle — an acute shortage of kitchen staff.

The Ministry of Education estimates that providing hot meals to all primary school pupils would require an additional 250 cooks and kitchen workers — an average of 0.5 additional staff members per school.

Some schools are already struggling. At one school in Celje, due to staff shortages, breakfast consists only of fruit, sandwiches and cereal. The ministry acknowledges that attracting new staff is difficult because the salaries are not competitive.

Currently, only breakfasts are mandatory (costing €1.22 for primary school pupils and €4 for secondary school students). Lunches are optional and paid for separately, with subsidies available.

Source: svet24.si