Daily 1-km trek for students for mid-day meal

Brahmapur: Students of the Government Upgraded High School at K Sitapur under Kasinagar block in Gajapati district are facing an unusual hardship as they have to walk nearly one kilometre every day to have their mid-day meal (MDM), with the classroom and meal facilities located at two different places.

The 76-year-old school, situated on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, has been conducting regular classes at the upgraded high school campus. However, the mid-day meal is being served at the premises of the old school, nearly one kilometre away. As a result, students have to leave the school campus during the lunch break, walk along the main road carrying their plates, have their meal at the old school premises and then return to attend classes.

The arrangement has raised concerns among parents and local residents, who feel that students are being unnecessarily exposed to traffic hazards while also losing valuable time that could otherwise be used for studies and rest.

According to local residents, a large number of vehicles regularly ply on the road connecting the two school premises. Though students generally move in groups, parents remain concerned about their safety, particularly during busy hours.

The daily journey also affects the smooth conduct of the school schedule. Students have to spend considerable time walking to and from the MDM centre, instead of remaining within the school campus during the lunch break. The movement becomes particularly inconvenient for younger children and students who may have difficulty walking the distance carrying their plates.

Parents have questioned why the MDM facility has not been arranged within the premises where the upgraded school is currently functioning. They said that keeping classrooms and the meal facility at separate locations creates avoidable inconvenience for both students and teachers. The separation of the two facilities is also being viewed as a matter concerning the academic environment. Students walk nearly one kilometre each way to leave and return to the campus during the school day.

Parents apprehend that the arrangement may affect punctuality and concentration, apart from reducing the effective time available for classroom activities. They have urged the authorities to consider the educational and safety aspects while reviewing the existing arrangement.

Local residents have urged the Gajapati district administration and the education authorities concerned to inspect the school and take immediate steps to provide the MDM facility within the functioning school campus.

They said the provision of mid-day meals should complement the educational environment rather than require schoolchildren to travel along a busy road every day. Parents have sought a permanent solution by shifting the MDM kitchen or making suitable arrangements within the upgraded high school premises so that students can attend classes, take their meals and return to their classrooms without leaving the campus.

The issue has also triggered demands for an assessment of the overall infrastructure of the 76-year-old institution and restoration of basic facilities so that students can study in a safe and conducive environment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunil Mohan Patnaik

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