Hubli
The education department is all set to extend distribution of eggs, chikki, and bananas to students of ninth and tenth grade as part of the midday meal scheme in the district. Earlier, the scheme benefitted only children studying in classes 1 to 8. Following multiple requests, the state government has decided to extend the scheme to students of classes 9 and 10.
Zilla Panchayat CEO TK Swaroopa TK symbolically launched the distribution of eggs, chikki and bananas to students of classes 9 and 10 at Government High School RN Shetty, Dharwad on August 18.
Now, the schools in the district are making arrangements for the distribution of eggs, chikki, and bananas to students. The school development and management committees (SDMC) and school managements have been tasked with the same.
In the district, 41,940 children studying in classes 9 and 10 will benefit from the extension of the scheme. As it is shravana month, the children will be distributed chikki and bananas only after getting approval letters from parents. Eggs will also be distributed to those who want to consume them during this month. .
According to sources, the midday meal is being extended to students in over 253 government and aided high schools in the district.
Education officer of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, Roopa Purumkar told that those students who do not wish to eat eggs, will be served chikki or banana. The money to buy these food items will be soon transferred to the SDMCs and school managements, the official said. She said these food items are provided as supplementary nutrition for children. Nutritional food will increase hemoglobin, bone strength, calcium and immunity power in children.
