Anti-family parties: The ruling parties unanimously abstained in the Seimas in voting for free meals for elementary school students, but did not dare to vote AGAINST. Although other votes on this same project are pending, maybe it will open fully.
The Seimas has started considering the amendments to the Law on Social Support for Pupils presented by Seimas member Linas Kukuraitis, which propose to provide free lunches to students of all primary grades from this fall.
Currently, all preschoolers, first and second graders have the right to free lunch.
“Many countries, both developed and developing, are conducting research on how this free meal benefits children and their future lives. The absolute majority of them confirm that children who received free meals have better learning indicators, there is a positive direct influence on better children’s health, and eating habits are formed, which have a direct impact on the whole life,” said L. Kukuraitis, presenting the initiative.
As the project organizers point out in the explanatory note, an average of 25,000 students would receive free meals at school. students studying in the primary education program in the third and fourth grades. It is estimated that in 2024 about 10 million would be needed for this. euros, in 2025 (compared to 2024) – about 20 million euros.
After presentation, 48 members of the Seimas voted for amendments to the legal act (project No. XIVP-977(3), 1 was against, 37 MPs abstained. If the project is approved after presentation, it will be further considered in the main appointed Committee on Social Affairs and Labor, in the additional Committee on Education and in the scientific committee.
The Seimas also decided to ask the Government for a conclusion on this initiative. It is planned to return to consideration of this issue at the Seimas meeting on April 18.
How who voted: https://www.lrs.lt/sip/portal.show?p_r=37067&p_bals_id=-52308
