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catholic School Families in Dumbéa-sur-mer Face Canteen Suspension, Budget Concerns Head to Congress
Dumbéa-sur-mer, New caledonia - Families with children attending Catholic schools in Dumbéa-sur-mer are expressing concern and frustration following the suspension of canteen services, even as the local management maintains morning and evening childcare. The disruption has prompted parents to call for prioritizing children’s needs within the municipal budget.
the decision to halt canteen operations has created logistical challenges for working parents and sparked debate over budgetary allocations. while the administration has yet to detail the full financial pressures driving the change, the issue is scheduled for discussion during a Congressional session on budget modifications this Thursday. the situation underscores broader financial strains on the DDEC (Direction de l’Enfance et de l’Éducation) and raises questions about the future of essential services for students.
“The children are the future. They are the ones who should be at the heart of budgetary priorities,” stated one mother of a student impacted by the closure. Another parent echoed this sentiment, saying, “We just want it to be restored as quickly as possible as it’s a whole institution [that’s affected].”
The administration communicated the canteen suspension to students via a note sent home in school bags. One young student, reflecting on the situation, shared, “I don’t want to not have a canteen. But we have to think of others who don’t have anything to eat.”
The upcoming Congressional session will provide a platform for elected officials to address the DDEC’s financial situation and consider potential solutions to restore canteen services and ensure continued support for students in Dumbéa-sur-mer. The outcome of this discussion will directly impact families and the availability of vital resources for schoolchildren in the community.
