PARENTS are unhappy that school canteens have raised prices, saying quality and quantity remain poor.

They complained that they have had to double their children’s allowances since the price hike.

It was reported yesterday that the prices in school canteens have increased by up to 50% in the new school session because the prices of ingredients have gone up.

The Malaysian School Canteen Operators Association had said that inadequate supply of raw ingredients such as eggs, sugar and cooking oil have affected the canteens’ operations.

Its president, Khairuddin Hamzah, who runs a school canteen in Semenyih, said the prices of roti canai, fried chicken and nasi lemak has increased.

He said roti canai is being sold at RM1.50 compared with RM1 last year. Fried chicken costs RM1.50 and nasi lemak, RM2, both of which has gone up by 50 sen.

A group of parents from Setia Alam in Selangor told The Malaysian Insight that while  school food prices have gone up, the portions being served are small.

“I feel sorry for parents with more than one child. They have to pay  RM15 a day to feed their children. In the end, the children do not have enough to eat.

“And to top it off, the quality and quantity remain poor,” said a parent, who wanted to be known as Ira.

Nisha, another parent, said they had no choice but to give their children more pocket money for school.

“If we do not give them more pocket money, what will they eat in school? A plate of rice with a slice of chicken costs RM3.”

Nisha said she was surprised to learn from her daughter that her school canteen charged 50 sen if students wanted a bowl of soup to go with their rice.

“That is ridiculous. Previously, you could buy a plate of rice with soup for RM1. It was RM2 if you wanted a piece of chicken. An extra 50 sen for a bowl of soup is too much,” she said.

Raise quality along with prices

Yana, a mother of one, said that while canteens are forced to raise their prices, operators should also enlarge the portions and improve the quality of food.

“I know that raw ingredients are getting expensive but if you raise the price, make sure you make the food taste better and serve bigger portions,” she said.

Long-term plan needed

The National Parent-Teacher Association (NPTA) expressed regret over the matter.

Its president Mohd Ali Hassan said more must be done to solve the issue of high prices.

He said government agencies must work together to look for a long-term solution.

“I feel sorry for the parents. I can understand how they feel. I do understand that operators have no choice but to increase the prices because prices of ingredients are now expensive. But it is not right if you raise the prices but keep the portions small and do not improve the quality of food served.

“Government agencies must work hand in hand to solve this. They must not allow prices to go up without supervision. Maybe the government could set a ceiling prices and quality standards for canteen food and drinks,” he said.

Ali said Putrajaya should also expand the supplementary food programme to also benefit middle-class households.

He suggested that private companies adopt schools to provide financial aid.

“The programme should be extended to not just people who are poor but those who are struggling, For example families with more than two school-going children.

“The food should also be healthy and of good quality. Private companies can lend aid by providing healthy food.

“They can also adopt students to help.” Ali added. –  January 7, 2023.