UK State-Funded Schools Spend $67Mln Helping Poorest Pupils Annually – Poll

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — UK state-funded primary and secondary schools spend over $67 million each year to pay for school uniforms or meals for children from poor families, among other financial shortages, a poll conducted by the UK independent trade union National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) revealed Friday.

The study is based on 2,112 responses the NAHT received from its members between April 13 and 22.

Four out of five teachers polled said the school they worked in frequently or occasionally provided school uniforms to pupils whose families could not afford one. Almost 50 percent of those interviewed said they helped with "basic items of clothing, such as underwear."

Three quarters of the NAHT respondents admitted they were supplying disadvantaged pupils with food apart from free school meals.

Almost 25 percent of respondents spoke of giving pupils access to clothes washing facilities. Fifteen percent mentioned making shower facilities available to pupils.

More than a half of those surveyed recalled helping in other ways, including birthday presents and transport costs.

Almost 84 percent of the teachers said they were providing more support than they used to five years ago. Over a half agreed that a decrease in the amount of social care being provided by the state caused the change.

Poverty considerably affects a pupil's concentration, mental stability and self-respect, according to the respondents.

Vast budget cuts in the United Kingdom are being widely discussed ahead of the May 7 general election, with the ruling Conservative party coming in for criticism over the performance of social services, health and education