School canteen meals are under the microscope again after it was said children were going home hungry.

Onchan MHK Julie Edge put forward a question in the House of Keys to the Education Minister Graham Cregeen, asking if he thinks it’s acceptable that pupils had come home from school crying because of the current menu.

The minister said portion controls had been introduced to combat perceptions of greater levels of child obesity.

We got residents’ thoughts on the issue and asked what they remember of their school dinners.

’One of the reasons for children going home hungry could be that some kids are quite picky,’ said Celia Sawyer, over-50, from Douglas.

’I do think school meals are convenient for families and parents who are rushing around and catching their tail in the morning.’

’The government needs to make school meals more interesting with more variety. They’re not just providing food, but nutrition.’

Brett Cullen, over-50, from Douglas, has two sons at high school.

He said: ’I do think what we feed our children is a fundamental issue. It’s a lifetime of consequences that we condition them to.

’The schools are in between a rock and a hard place. Schools should provide a choice and range and an education on these choices. Education also rests on the parents. Really parents are responsible.’

Gary Johnston, 52, from Colby, said: ’Kids are always hungry because they’re constantly burning calories.’

He believes this issue is not about obesity, but rather ’saving money’.

’If you cut down the portions of every kid - you’re saving money,’ he said.

Ellen Harris, 24, from Douglas, said: ’Don’t give them less food, give them better food. The meals shouldn’t be small - it’s okay to have more vegetables.’

Reflecting on her school days, Ellen - who has been a vegetarian her whole life - said there should be better vegetarian options available rather than just chips and jacket potatoes.

Her mum, Bernie, aged 50, said: ’Primarily I gave my children packed lunches.

’When I was at school you ate what you were given.’

Kaytlin Daniel, 19, from Peel, went to Ballakermeen High School.

She said: ’There were lots of things with potato and lots of pies. There were a lot of posters about eating healthy and there were only vending machines in sixth form. Half the students brought in their own lunches.

’I don’t think it should all come down to the schools - it’s up to the parents what they feed their children as well.

’Primary school kids need all the food they can get because at that age they’re still growing.’

Her partner, Dan Tattersall, 22, from Crosby, said: ’I remember there were a lot of sandwiches and chips at Queen Elizabeth II High School.’

He said finding the ’right portion-size’ for schools would be difficult.

’It’s a hard one because different people need different amounts. But it doesn’t really equate to the amount. It equates to the ingredients because some foods can have a lot of salt for example.’