Core Points - The Ministry of Education and the State Administration for Market Regulation have jointly issued guidelines for the procurement and acceptance management of bulk food ingredients in school canteens, emphasizing the need for schools to consider the opinions of various committees and stakeholders in the procurement process [1] - The quality of food in school canteens has been a focal point of social concern, with measures like "bright kitchens" and teacher-student dining implemented to ensure food safety, yet issues persist due to insufficient parental involvement [1] - The establishment of parent committees for dietary supervision in schools is mandated, with specific requirements for membership and responsibilities, aiming to enhance parental participation in food safety and dietary management [1] Group 1 - The new guidelines require schools to procure food from suppliers with appropriate qualifications, based on the input from school dietary committees and parent representatives [1] - Parental involvement is crucial as most school meals are paid for by students themselves, and parents should have the right to be informed and participate in decision-making [1] - The Ministry of Education has issued a trial implementation plan for parent committees, which should consist of at least seven members, ensuring representation from each grade [1] Group 2 - There is skepticism among parents regarding the effectiveness of the newly established dietary supervision committees, as previous parent committees have often failed to fulfill their intended roles [2] - Genuine parent committees should be democratically elected and operate independently from the school, representing parents' interests rather than serving the school's agenda [2] - The lack of effective parent committees has been linked to various issues in schools, such as problems with uniforms and meal services, highlighting the need for authentic representation [3] Group 3 - The establishment of parent committees is seen as essential for modern school governance, allowing for better oversight of food procurement processes [3] - The education and food safety regulatory bodies are expected to set qualification standards for food suppliers, ensuring that only compliant companies can participate in the bidding process [3] - The call for genuine parent committees is aimed at balancing the relationship between parents and schools, ensuring that parents can effectively advocate for their children's rights [2][3]