Injustice at school meal: cost trap for Viennese families in the after -school care center

Injustice at school meal: cost trap for Viennese families in the after -school care center

In Vienna there are numerous schools and after -school care that offer the students' lunch, but not all facilities act according to the same principle. This causes resentment among parents like Constanze F., who want their children of high quality and free lunch. It expresses its concerns about inequality in the food offering at schools in Vienna and perceives the costs as intolerable.

The mother who sent her children to a elementary school in Vienna-Landstrasse reports on her experiences in the city after-school care. In her opinion, it would be fairer if lunch there, as in the open school and the all-day folk school, would also be offered free of charge. "Otherwise I am satisfied with the food, but I find that very unfair," she explains. Your monthly contribution for the after -school care is impressive 300 euros per child, and only because there is a need for your children to be looked after several times a week because she is working. To make matters worse, the price increased by 20 euros last year, which only reinforces its frustration.

Financial burden for families

This situation illustrates a fundamental challenge that many parents in Vienna face. In a city in which the cost of living is high and many family situations reach the financial limits, such a price adjustment often affects the most needy. The choice of which school makes the right offers therefore depends not only on educational aspects, but also on the financial means of the family. While some schools are available at no cost, others have to fight with considerable fees.

parents are often in a dilemma. You want your children to receive the best education and care, but a sudden change in the after -school care events can question these ambitions. Constanze F. reports that depending on the family circumstances, the high price can be a bitter setback. "I am constantly worried about whether I can afford it," she adds and thus draws attention to a widespread problem.

The discussion about the costs and the availability of school meals is expected to continue to be in the foreground. Are there solutions for these injustices in schools? This is a question that both parents and school activities raise and the USBs and educational institutions could ask for finding new solutions.

Vienna has already tried a variety of solutions that are intended to meet both social justice and culinary quality. But the implementation proves to be challenging. Parents observe the developments carefully, especially when it comes to how the city and schools will respond to the needs of these families.