The Congress government has reduced the number of days eggs will be served in mid-day meals to government school students , from twice to once a week.
Previously, the state provided eggs to students twice a week. Students who would not consume eggs were offered bananas or chikkis instead as nutritional supplements.
A circular that was sent out on Tuesday reads that students from class 1-8 of government and aided schools will be provided eggs once a week. This decision is likely to last until the announcement of the next state budget.
Responding to this, Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a Public health doctor said, “It is disappointing that compromises on budget always happen with the poorest and most vulnerable/marginalized. Children of government schools in Karnataka are in the majority from dalit, Adivasi and OBC backgrounds whose parents are daily wage labourers.
“Providing eggs every day to the children as part of the mid-day meal scheme has multiple advantages – school attendance improves, children’s performance improves, they get better immunity to fight illnesses and therefore less sick days and better attendance. Apart from that children are protected from multiple nutrition deficiencies. If we are serious about improving the health indicators of the State then there can be no compromise on providing eggs every day of the week to all children, including dropout children, upto class 10.”
In a statement against this, AIDSO has said, “Citing shortage of funds, the department of school education and literacy, has issued a circular stating it will reduce the number of eggs provided to children from two to one. Eggs are provided due to acute malnutrition found in students coming from lower income families. Every day 5000 children die due to malnourishment! Lakhs of children in the state are stunted and do not get a proper nutritional diet. Their sole dependence is on the midday meal scheme and eggs/bananas/chikkis provided in schools.
“This move will deprive these poor children of their much-needed nutrition. Recently we have seen a tremendous increase in dropouts across the country and Karnataka state has seen dropouts more than national average. Due to extreme poverty and economic crisis, even school Children are forced to take up jobs. At such a time it was the responsibility of the government to provide them enough means to attract them to pursue their education. If there is a lack of funds, the government should arrange it and not hamper the education of the child. If the department cannot provide even an egg, what else can it provide?”
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Posted in News, States
