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Does the Provision of Universal Free School Meals Improve School Attendance and Behaviour?

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Borbely

    (Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde)

  • Markus Gehrsitz

    (Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde)

  • Stuart McIntyre

    (Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde)

  • Gennaro Rossi

    (Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde)

Abstract

The importance of universal free school meals (UFSM) provision has been the subject of significant debate over the past decade. In this study we examine the effect of UFSM policies on school attendance, health-related absence and students’ misbehaviour. We leverage UFSM implementation in Scotland where all pupils in the first three grades of primary schools became automatically entitled to claim free meals, regardless of their households’ financial circumstances. We estimate a difference-in-differences model with variation in treatment intensity and find, in spite of a large increase in uptakes, that attendance and school discipline have not improved significantly. These estimates are close to zero and precisely estimated. We also show that effect heterogeneity does not explain the null effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Borbely & Markus Gehrsitz & Stuart McIntyre & Gennaro Rossi, 2022. "Does the Provision of Universal Free School Meals Improve School Attendance and Behaviour?," Working Papers 22-5, University of Strathclyde Business School, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:str:wpaper:22-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gagliano, Katrina M. & Yassa, Monica O. & Winsler, Adam, 2023. "Stop the shame and the hunger: The need for school meal program reform," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Attendance; Behaviour; School Meals; Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education

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