Children need to drink plenty of water to meet their intellectual potential.

A child who is dehydrated by no more than 2 per cent does less well in maths, according to British research.

It seems that half of the child student population do not drink at all in school.

Water supplies offered are often unpalatable and children may literally have to suck water from water fountains with poor water pressure, for example - which is unhygenic to say the least.

So why is it so difficult for many children to get a drink of water in school?

In one British primary school, pupils were encouraged to bring in plastic bottles of water to sip from during classes.They could refill the bottles from water coolers around the school.

Their teachers reported that the children were less irritable and more alert while pupils said that they could concentrate better and suffered fewer headaches.

A campaign is growing in Britain to lobby for greater access to water for children.

This is an issue that Irish parents should be concerned about too.

Schools have made a fuss about chocolate and crisps in box lunches brought from home, but at the end of the day the need for water throughout the school day is more important.

kholmquist@irish-times.ie