Just under 1900 students entitled to free school meals

Fewer pupils getting free meals compared to last year

There are just under 1900 students on the Isle of Man entitled to free school meals as of October.

That equates to around 16 percent of Manx pupils.

The figures were given by the education minister in response to a question from Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse in Tynwald this week.

By comparison, it's 60 fewer pupils than this time last year and 160 fewer than 2020 - the largest amount in the past five years.

In response to Julie Edge's answer, Mr Moorhouse said the figures for this year were 'surprising', given the cost of living challenges facing the Island.

He also wanted to know, specifically, the percentage of pupils at Castle Rushen High School - in his constituency - are on free school meals, to which Minister Edge says the figure is 18 per cent, as of November.