Study: Majority of parents fear school cafeterias are dirty

With the new school year underway, a new national survey reveals that parents are concerned about the cleanliness of their children’s schools.

Key findings of the survey funded by OpenWorks—a cleaning franchise—indicate that parents say cafeterias, school buses and bathrooms are “unclean” and “unsanitary.” More than half of the 300 working parents surveyed say they pack their children’s lunch due to that stigma.

As a result, more than three in five parents worry their kids are exposed to germs at school, according to the survey.

Despite the parents' feelings, 49 percent said they feel pressured to send their children to school in these conditions—even if they are sick—because they cannot miss work.

“The survey shows parents believe schools aren’t making the grade when it comes to keeping facilities clean, creating unhealthy environments for students,” says David Bosley, executive vice president at OpenWorks, in a statement. “We want to restore that trust by partnering with schools around the country to set up cleaning programs that are sustainable and affordable.”