NATIONAL SCHOOL MEALS RESPONDS

A major gas leak forced the National School Meals programme to prematurely end operations today…
That in turn resulted in a decision to shutter public primary schools at noon.
Manger of the National School Meals Program Ezra Knowles says the leak in the facility’s central kitchen was caused by aging gas pipes.

Director of Education Clare Browne says primary school students depend on the routine of services from the school meals programme, hence the decision to end classes at noon.
Meanwhile, Knowles says use of the school meals facility was suspended for safety reasons after they discovered the problem, but expects this has only been a temporary setback.

She says work has already begun to replace the defective pipes.
The National Schools Meals Program serves approximately 7,000 meals daily to 29 primary schools, and three government-run pre-schools.