As years gone by, more and more children are attending their classes with an empty stomach. In a survey made by NASUWT, the teacher's union in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, three-quarters of the 3,250 evaluated teachers noticed their pupils come to class hungry.
According to BBC, NASUWT has been doing the survey annually for three years. NASUWT found out that the number one reason for children's hunger is the growing financial troubles of the students' family. Because they are hungry, students are having a hard time to concentrate on their studies and are usually anxious. However, both the teachers and schools are trying their best to help these students fight hunger.
Schools are now obliged to give the basic needs of their students. In fact, there are a lot of teachers and schools that give food, equipment and clothes to their students. There are some, too, that educate families with financial counsel.
Moreover, Independent reports that teachers themselves have their own little ways to help their students. These teachers are extending their hand by giving away their own food as 71 percent of them saw their students going to school hungry. Also, 15 percent of these teachers give their students clothes while 59 percent said their school provided some clothes to wear as more than half of their pupils can't afford to buy their own uniforms.
General Secretary of NASUWT, Chris Keates, told Express that the teachers and schools are the ones who are trying to mend the drastic consequences of "callous fiscal and social policies." Chris Keates also added that poverty and homelessness do have its effect on the children's physical and emotional state.
"Children living in poverty are more likely to suffer from low confidence and behavioral issues," Chris Keates explained. However, the government is doing its best to help the students and get rid of the poverty to improve their lives.
