"Isn't This Too Much?" Elementary Emergency Care Classroom, Paper Cup Lunch Controversy

Elementary School Serves Lunch in Paper Cups
Parents Complain "Poor Quality Food is Unacceptable"
School Apologizes, Explains Verbal Notice to Bring Personal Tableware Was Insufficient

Lunch provided at an emergency care classroom in an elementary school in Gyeonggi./Photo by Online Community Screenshot

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "Isn't this really too much?", "Don't mess with the food kids eat."

Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the start of the school term was postponed, and care classrooms for working parents are being operated. However, recently, it was revealed that an elementary school provided children's lunches in disposable paper cups, raising concerns that the care service might be too inadequate. On the other hand, some argue that this service is an emergency care service due to COVID-19, and demanding too much is unreasonable, sparking controversy.

According to the Ministry of Education on the 12th, in the third emergency care demand survey conducted from the 6th to the 9th, out of 2,721,484 elementary school students, 60,490 (2.2%) wished to use emergency care. To increase the low application rate for emergency care, the government extended care hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the 6th and decided to provide lunch boxes.

In particular, the Ministry of Education and metropolitan/provincial education offices announced the establishment of an 'Emergency Care Support Center' to collect parents' opinions. Additionally, on-site inspections of emergency care will be conducted.

The problem lies in the fact that care services are inadequate in some schools. One netizen, who identified herself as a parent, posted on an online mom cafe on the 17th, saying, "Are parents who have no choice but to send their kids to school guilty?" and expressed anger after seeing the lunch, along with photos of the lunch provided in an elementary school care classroom.

The disclosed photos showed that the lunch box contained four side dishes such as sweet and sour pork and kimchi served in plastic containers, while rice and soup were served in disposable paper cups.

The parent said, "Just in case, I asked my child to take a photo of the lunch and send it to me," and added, "When I saw the lunch photo, my heart felt like it was tearing apart. (My child) said they wanted to eat more," expressing frustration.

She continued, "I can understand to some extent, but this is not right," and lamented, "It seems parents who have no choice but to send their kids to school during COVID-19 are being blamed."

A(45), who said she has two elementary school children, said, "I get angry thinking my child has to eat like that," and raised her voice, "Is it reasonable to fill their stomachs with just a few pieces of side dishes?"

A controversy over inadequate school meals has arisen after it was revealed that an elementary school after-school care center served children's lunches in disposable paper cups. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News

The school explained that among the students who applied for the care classroom, those who did not bring their own tableware were given rice and soup in paper cups. They also apologized, saying, "We only verbally instructed the children to bring their own tableware," and "We apologize for not being able to make a general announcement."

However, some argue that since this is an emergency care service, it may be inadequate in some cases. B(35), an office worker, said, "Looking at the photos, this seems fine, so I don't understand the complaints," and criticized, "It's an emergency care classroom, so I don't know what people expect. If you don't like it, shouldn't you take care of your child at home?"

Another netizen, C, said, "I heard the child is in 6th grade, not a lower elementary student," and added, "If you feel that upset, pack a lunch yourself and send it. I think you should be grateful that the school is even providing care."

Meanwhile, a Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) petition titled "Please protect schools from care and malicious complaints" was posted. The petitioner stated, "Despite one-sided announcements without communication with the field, schools are doing their best," and added, "(However) it may be difficult to satisfy the demands of users."

They also claimed, "The Ministry of Education must have sent a document stating that bringing lunch boxes is possible depending on the school's situation because they know this," and demanded, "The Ministry of Education should provide detailed explanations and clarify the scope of the school's responsibilities."

Meanwhile, the number of students and young children using emergency care provided by daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary schools is about 140,000. The Ministry of Education plans to continue on-site inspections of education offices to support parents and students without inconvenience.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.