BEATH High pupils have said that the school dinners being served up by Fife Council are nowhere near good enough.

Four prefects - Ines Shearer, Hannah Malone, Aimee Anwender and Emily Inglis - attended the Cowdenbeath area committee and slated the quality, size of the portions, the cost and variety of the fare on offer.

The senior pupils, who have also raised their concerns with the Scottish Government, said on some occasions the cafeteria had "run out of food" and left kids hungry while there was little or no choice for vegans.

The issue was previously raised last year.

A petition has now been handed in and their presentation the pupils said: "On behalf of the school, we feel that something has to change because the pricing, quality, quantity and lack of advertisement is simply not good enough.

“As school pupils, we do need energy to learn and by looking at the nutritional value of the food we’re being served, it’s not filling.

Central Fife Times: Senior pupils from Beath High criticised the quality, quantity, cost and nutritional value of school dinners. Senior pupils from Beath High criticised the quality, quantity, cost and nutritional value of school dinners. (Image: Newsquest)

"Many sources say a healthy lunch should range from 500-700 calories whereas our school lunches range from 50-250 calories. It's more like a snack, not a main meal."

The senior pupils, who were accompanied by depute rector David Lowrie, continued: "Pupils were left unfed as the cafeteria ran out of food by the middle of lunchtime. When those concerns were raised we were told it was due to weather conditions."

The S6 delegation said the problems weren't restricted to Beath as they had been told of similar concerns at other schools in Fife.

They explained that pupils in Perth and Kinross have, compared to Fife pupils, better, cheaper and more options on their school dinner menu.

"Their prices for food and drink are a lot lower than ours, as well as having a more varied four-week menu and nutritious meal deals for only £2."

The senior pupils said they discovered a two-course meal deal exists for £2.40 at Fife schools but that advertising was so poor that very few students and staff were aware of it.

They added that there was no option to pay by card and a promise to improve the menu, with more pasta dishes and choices of pizza toppings, hadn't been delivered at Beath.

Councillor Bailey-Lee Robb, who complained about school dinners in 2019 when he was a pupil at the school, said: “They're not asking for the world – they’re not asking for cheeseburgers from McDonald’s, a Toby carvery or Pizza Hut. They just want a decent meal at lunchtime.

"It shouldn’t be such a contentious issue.” 

Tariq Ditta, head of the facilities management service, said: "Everything the pupils have said today we will take on board and try and resolve them as far as possible."

However, he highlighted that the service's net loss of income was roughly £400,000 and his report added that it was "highly unlikely that all needs can be met within the budget".

Councillors agreed an amendment calling for a Fife-wide review of school meals and that the issue should go to the education scrutiny committee.