The Telangana government has decided to implement a breakfast scheme for government school students starting from Dussehra on October 24. This decision comes after the Tamil Nadu government launched a similar scheme. The aim of the scheme is to provide nutritious food to students and prevent dropouts. The Chief Minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao, appointed a team to study the implementation of the scheme in Tamil Nadu.
Many students in the Karimnagar district have to leave their homes early as their schools are far away. As a result, they go to school on an empty stomach as breakfast is not cooked at home during that time. From November to February, students attend special classes before the regular classes start. They also go home late in the evening. Previously, students had to rely on donors for breakfast.
In a survey conducted by the Central government Education department in 2015, it was found that 30% of students attended school without having breakfast and were anemic and weak. Providing breakfast will be beneficial for these students. The total number of students in the Karimnagar district is as follows: 49,754 in Karimnagar district, 42,913 in Sircilla district, 38,428 in Peddapally district, and 71,910 in Jagitial district.
Currently, ragi java (porridge) is being provided along with the mid-day meal scheme in schools. The mid-day meal workers are already burdened with cooking ragi java for free. If breakfast is added, they will have to come to the school at seven in the morning. They are demanding increased wages and regular payment of bills.
Before implementing the scheme, experts suggest that the government needs to consider these challenges. The proposed menu for breakfast has already been sent to the schools, with some changes being added and ready to be finalized. Providing a variety of nutritious breakfast options will benefit the students and keep them energized throughout the day. Suggestions include giving Pongal, Kichidi, Semiya, Upma, and carrots for vitamins, palli pattis (peanut chikki) for iron, banana fruits for potassium, milk for vitamins and minerals, curd with seasonal fruits, and sorghum for fiber.
