THE Swindon Association of Primary Head Teachers says proposed new school meals contracts could force many of its heads to divert large sums away from providing books, equipment and even teaching staff for pupils.

And this diverted money? It will, according to the association, be needed simply to provide hot meals for the children who want them.

Those children include well over 1,000 pupils who claim free school meals.

For some of them, that might be the only wholesome hot meal they have during the day.

The head teachers say such children could be left with nothing but packed lunches provided by the schools.

Those in charge of the school meals system say they simply want to break even, and that head teachers are mistaken about the implications.

Let us hope the head teachers are mistaken although the highly professional association is not known for making rash public statements.

If they are correct, however, it is time for an immediate rethink, because things should never have come to this.