MOE and schools discussing new ways to run canteens

As more stallholders retire and filling vacant canteen stalls may become more challenging in future, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is in discussions with schools on new ways to run their canteens.

- Gabrielle Chan

Acknowledging the difficulties of some schools in finding stallholders, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said on Nov 12 in Parliament that his ministry is discussing with schools that are keen and ready to adopt a different operating model.

For instance, meals can be pre-ordered and prepared at a central kitchen before they are delivered to schools, he said, adding that this model has been piloted at Yusof Ishak Secondary School and shown to be effective.

"Where there are existing stallholders impacted by such a transition, schools will help by referring them to nearby schools or recommending them for employment by the central kitchen operator," he said.

Mr Chan was responding to questions from several MPs - Mr Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC), Ms He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) and Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) - on school canteen stalls.