HUNGER costs some Scottish teenagers an hour of learning every day, teachers estimate.
In a survey, more than one third of the country’s teachers said youngsters in their classes turn up hungry because their parents cannot afford to provide breakfast.
The findings are revealed as part of the outcome of UK-wide research for cereal giant Kellogg’s, which supports breakfast clubs at schools around Britain.
It revealed 94 per cent of the UK’s educators see high school learners come to school hungry.
Almost half of the 500 secondary teachers surveyed said youngsters aged 11-16 did not understand why they need a morning meal to aid their education.
In Scotland, teachers said they were left struggling to work with pupils who are unable to concentrate in morning lessons as a result, with almost 80 per cent citing this as a problem.
An increase in misbehaviour was also identified as a consequence of hunger, as was irritability, with 60 minutes of vital learning time lost for each day a pupil has missed their pre-school meal.
More than one in 10 teachers said this may have a long-term impact on exam results, with 16 per cent believing one child’s hunger could disrupt the learning of classmates.
Jo Nicholas, head of research at the Children’s Food Trust, said: “Secondary education sees our young people maturing into adulthood, going through stressful exams and often choosing a life career path.
“All these things are hard to do when you are hungry and teens are often the forgotten age group when it comes to hunger.
“The survey results would indicate that a breakfast club for young people in secondary education, particularly those who need it most, would still be a wise investment.
“‘Like all other school food provision, breakfasts need to be healthy as what children eat now determines their future health.”
Dave Lawlor, UK managing director for the cereal firm, said: “Kellogg’s has been supporting breakfast clubs in schools for 19 years providing funding, cereal donations and training to a network of 3000 breakfast clubs across the UK.
“We would encourage our stakeholders to look at ways we can increase breakfast club support to help boost the provision from primary school to secondary school.”
The findings come after the Trussell Trust revealed one of its food banks in Scotland’s biggest city will run a summer holiday club for youngsters from families living below the breadline for the first time.
The six-week scheme in north-west Glasgow will also cater for parents and, if there is enough demand, the pilot may be rolled out across the city next year.
The charity Children in Scotland will also fund lunch clubs at five of the city’s schools.
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