Parents, not the schools, should give children milk

From Dick Turpin.

I WOULD just like to add my take on the re-emergence of that old chestnut, school milk.

This is not aimed at any persons in particular, as it is obviously clear that during an election year, prospective candidates do tend to jump on the emotive bandwagon, which certainly this year will include school milk for ‘our children’, the ‘less well off’ and ‘for future generations’, to name but a few.

I would not argue against the health benefits provided by the drinking of milk, but I do wonder why some people think that the healthy development of children does not remain the responsibility of their parents. Are they suggesting that it is beyond the means of parents to give their children milk at home?

Most youngsters probably receive a good daily ration with their morning cereal, and even if this is not the case, to provide a glassful to take to school or drink at home on their return is something that must be within the means of every family with children.

I didn’t have milk at school, but even in the pre-Occupation years our parents gave it to us on a regular basis.

My advice to all children is to cut out one fizzy drink and ask mum for a glass of milk instead. It really will give you healthy teeth and strong bones.

To all those who protest about the removal of school milk, I really don’t think that the provision of a glass of milk is the remit of the taxpayer.

And while talking of schools, given the chaos we see because of school traffic, would it not be possible for the Education Minister to consider introducing flexible start and finish times, in a bid to ease the problem?

It works well in other countries.