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# Half of Catalan High Schools Lack Canteens
- URL: https://barna.news/half-of-catalan-high-schools-lack/
- Published: 2026-11-12T23:35:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-12T23:35:47.000Z
- Description: A new report reveals that 310 public high schools in Catalonia have no canteen, blocking students from lunch grants.
- Author: Barna.News News Desk
- Tags: education, Trending Now

More than half of public high schools in Catalonia lack a dining hall or canteen, preventing thousands of students from accessing school lunch grants, according to a report published on Thursday 12th November 2026 by the Ombudsman and reported by [Diari ARA](https://en.ara.cat/society/the-intensive-workday-in-high-schools-the-obstacle-for-thousands-of-students-to-receive-canteen-grant%5F1%5F5908718.html?ref=barna.news).

Of the 563 public secondary schools, 310 do not have canteen facilities, forcing students into a compacted intensive school day that ends before lunch. Without access to a dining hall, pupils cannot apply for lunch grants, despite being eligible.

The Ombudsman’s report, *School lunch grants within the framework of the service universalisation strategy in Catalonia*, highlights progress since 2010–2011: the number of grant recipients has tripled from 65,000 to over 205,000, with annual public investment rising from €33.2 million to €250 million.

Yet 30% of vulnerable students still lack access to meals or grants. Coverage is high in infant and primary education (91.3%) but drops sharply to 26.9% in secondary education (ESO).

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## Higher Costs in Charter Schools

The report also warns that canteen prices are higher in charter schools and high schools, creating additional financial barriers. While public investment has grown, unequal access remains a structural issue.

Parents and school councils can check their school’s canteen status via the Generalitat’s education portal for further details on local provisions.

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*Sources:* [*Ara*](https://en.ara.cat/society/the-intensive-workday-in-high-schools-the-obstacle-for-thousands-of-students-to-receive-canteen-grant%5F1%5F5908718.html?ref=barna.news)*.*

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