Mid-day meal in ‘unhealthy’ condition

Old City: The Mid-Day meal scheme has no doubt paid dividends as the dropout rate has fallen but on the flip side, the meal is served in such unclean conditions that several children are falling sick. In many schools, the students are made to sit in the open ground amidst dust. Noor, a student complained, “As all of us rush to book places, a lot of dust is raised, and we feel breathless.”

 In some schools, even though carpets are laid out there is no maintenance of cleanness and in most of the schools, students are made to sit on the ground. With the lack of water in schools, students are facing problem for washing and drinking. 

Dr Rekha Bhandarkar says, “The mid-day meal scheme is good programme to feed healthy and nutritious food to children but if the surroundings in which the food is served is not hygienic, there is no value and it could lead to several health issues. School students are susceptible to many skin problems.”

The authorities of Government Primary School at Yakutpura admitted that there was water problem and it would be solved soon. The school administration has taken the matter at the higher level and it would be sorted, said an official.