Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

More than 200 students at the McCooks Primary School in St Catherine might have to do without a cooked meal this week following a break-in at the institution.

The police said thieves gained entry to and emptied the school's food storage facility between Friday night and Saturday, crippling its ability to provide a hot meal.

"The 90 pounds of rice, 60 pounds of chicken, cooking oil, vinegar, coconut powder, seasoning, cornmeal and sugar were all items to run the school's canteen, now it's stolen," principal Marcia Hynes bemoaned.

Hynes said the school is supplied with chicken monthly. She said the last time the school was burgled was in 2010.

Hynes said the criminal act has adversely affected the operation of the school which has 202 students. Most of the children eat cooked lunch from the school. The school has since suspended the two watchmen.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Town police have launched an investigation into the matter.