School canteen operators still hoping to meet minister

 

School canteen operators have been forced to increase their prices following the rise in operating costs, but some are unable to do so because of their old contracts. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian School Canteen Operators Association is still hoping to meet with the education ministry over the rise in operating costs following the increase in food prices.

Its president, Khairuddin Hamzah, said they have yet to meet the ministry but were open to holding talks, especially with education minister Fadhlina Sidek.

“If the minister wants to meet us, the association welcomes that,” he told FMT.

Khairuddin said the price increase in canteens mostly involved schools that entered into new contracts with the operators, taking into account the current price of raw ingredients.

“The old prices were from two to three years ago and are no longer relevant,” he said.

Schools that have yet to open new tenders are sticking with the old prices for the time being, but the operators are struggling to make a profit.

“That is why many canteen operators have ceased operations. They were unable to increase their prices since they were tied down by the old contracts,” he said.

Khairuddin said the operators could even incur losses if the cost of goods continue to rise, like what happened last year, especially during the long school holiday periods.

Last week, FMT reported that the prices of food in school canteens had increased by up to 50% since the start of the new school session.

The association said the inadequate supply of raw materials such as eggs, sugar and cooking oil had affected the canteens’ operations.- FMT