Headteacher says pupils with ‘more than a penny in debt’ won’t be fed in school

The headteacher said something has to be done about the debt.

A headteacher at a school in Wales has said children with 'more than a penny in debt' will not be given school meals. Neil Foden, strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, Gwynedd, North Wales, gave parents an ultimatum via a letter. It is believed the school cook has been ordered not to give food to students "if their debt has not been cleared,  or, in the future, to children whose accounts do not have enough money to pay for lunch". Parents have been given until November 19th to clear their debts. It is understood that the Welsh school's debts reached over £1,800 in the last year. 70 families reportedly owe the school money with some owing over £100.

Mr. Foden commented, "Closer inspection revealed that this was because a handful of pupils had run up debts totalling more than £1,800. Unfortunately, this means that I have had to take the following steps.

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"All debts over £10 will be transferred to the authority and parents will be invoiced by the council. All debts of over £0.01 will receive a message from the school to clear debts and credit the system by Friday, November 19."

It'll come as no surprise to hear that parents were furious over the ultimatum. Mr. Foden stressed that he had no choice and something must be done about the debt.

The letter has understandably been met with waves of backlash online.

People pointed out that families in poverty struggle to put food on their tables and the school meal may be a child's only meal of the day. In response to this, Mr. Foden said children from financially disadvantaged households can get free school meals.