BENGALURU: The state government’s scheme to provide food to government and aided schoolchildren in 160 drought-hit taluks during the summer vacation has benefitted 13 lakh of the targeted 23 lakh children (56.82 per cent), according to a report available with the Education Department (mid-day meal project).
During 2017 March/April summer vacations, the government got a report on the attendance from each taluk where the scheme was extended. According to department officials, compared to the previous year, the number of children who consumed mid-day meals has increased this time. The government has spent `67 crore for this project.
Speaking to Express, a senior project official said, “Compared to 2016, the number of beneficiaries has increased by 9.51 per cent. During March/April 2016 it was 47.31 per cent.”
According to officials, Dakshina Kannada district was excluded this year as parents and children expressed unwillingness to eat the food. “If Dakshina Kannada district had also been included, then the number of kids who ate mid-day meals would have been more.
But parents and children of that district clearly said no. Following the communication by the district authorities, we did not extend it there,” an official said.
In all, food was served for 38 days for students of Classes 1 to 8. “The scheme was on between April 11 and May 27, except on Sundays and government holidays,” said the official.
Why low turnout
Many children went on vacation with their parents
The distance to mid-day meals centres was a little long
Children did not prefer to travel 5-6 km just to eat lunch
High temperature in some districts kept children away
