Some primary schools in Glasgow face as many as four sittings at lunchtimes to make space for all pupils in line for free meals.
Huge uptake of free dinners among P1s to P5 means headteachers are already staggering lunch time slots with various sittings taking place in a number of primaries according to a council paper.
But demand is predicted to increase further with the extension of free dinners for P6 and P7s and dining room extensions are being considered to make room.
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An education official told Glasgow City Council's education, skills and early years city policy committee last week some lunch halls may get extensions or schools could use folding seats in multi purpose spaces so kids can eat.
She warned several schools could potentially hold four lunch sittings with the universal roll out of meals to all primary kids on the way.
The Scottish Government has made £2.262 million available to Glasgow this year to “facilitate the roll out of universal entitlement free school meals” according to a report presented to councillors.
The report said the money is needed to “make all the necessary changes to kitchens and dining areas to cope with the expected increase in uptake.”
Labour councillor Jill Brown said it looks like there could be issues across the school estate but only the worse facilities would be made “better.”
Replying to the query, the council official described the government cash allocation as “pilot funding” and said the full requirement is being worked out. She said it is not the “full ask” but the “first step towards it.”
The officer also explained information gathered several years ago on the predicted levels of demand is to be updated.
Currently children in P1 to P5 get free dinners.
The benefit is reportedly expected to be extended to P6 and P7 children by 2024 although the council has not received a formal update yet.
Currently children in those years can get only get food at no cost if their parents receive certain benefits.
It has been confirmed however that P6 and P7 pupils whose parents or guardians receive the Scottish Child Payment will be first in line as part of a phased introduction.
But the council has raised concerns about being able to access information about the number of families receiving the payment.
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