Data shows figures largely unchanged
Nearly 2,000 pupils across the Island's education system are currently accessing free school meals, a Freedom of Information response has revealed.
The total number of children currently in primary education on the Isle of Man is 5,852. Of this number, 1,077 pupils were accessing free school meals as of 17 March 2023.
In the Island's secondary schools, up to and including Year 11, there are 4,713 pupils. As of 17 March, 865 of these children were accessing free school meals.
Therefore, across the Manx school system, 1,942 are receiving free meals this school year.
However, this number appears to be slightly down on previous years.
A separate FOI request submitted last year revealed that of a total 11,514 students (as of September 2021), 2,018 were accessing free school meals.
Back in 2018, another FOI response showed 2,128 were in receipt of free school meals.
Manx Care spends more than £660,000 on reviews over two-year period
2025 among warmest years on record at Ronaldsway, new Met Office report shows
Chamber backs revised minimum wage rise after government U-turn
DESC begins recruitment process for new chief officer
More than 60 full-time equivalent roles identified in government communications and marketing posts