School lunch from the teachers’ perspective. A case study

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: February 28, 2014 | Revision accepted: October 21, 2014

Introduction

School canteen operators in Germany have an acceptance problem. Related studies tend to focus primarily on schoolchildren [1−4]. However, the teachers’ perspective was investigated in an academic paper [5], because, educationally, they assume a key role [6] in the acceptance of canteen meals. To explore possible starting points for an increase in the acceptance of the school canteen among teachers, the study looked at an all-day secondary school (Werkrealschule¹) in the Rastatt area, to examine, among other things, why teachers did not like to visit the school canteen.

The size of the school is typical for this type of school; 15 female and 8 male teachers teach at this two-track school. Unlike in most cases, there is a school canteen. The meals on offer comply with the DGE (German Nutrition Society) quality standards for employee catering [7], as the caterer runs a staff canteen at the same time.

Summary

This case study examines why teachers rarely visit the school canteen. The meals available are varied, but there is no calm and no privacy. Teachers perceive the school canteen primarily as a provision (of care) for schoolchildren, which is associated with extra work.

Keywords: school canteen, noise level, acceptance, school development, workplace health promotion

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