Special Day Celebrations: Festive meals in Karnataka schools!

Bengaluru: The government has enabled special meals in state and aided schools for students from grades 1 to 10 on special occasions such as festivals, weddings, wedding anniversaries, birthdays of students and teachers, national holidays, and state formation days.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has issued guidelines specifying that these meals should be nutritious and healthy. This initiative is part of the PM POSHAN program. NGOs, industrialists, business and trade community members, parents, and local donors can sponsor these meals.

The guidelines specify that the special meal menu should meet the nutritional standards of the National Food Security Act, providing 450 calories and 12 grams of protein for primary students and 750 calories and 20 grams of protein for upper primary students.

Preference for Local Food:

Priority should be given to locally available leafy vegetables, pulses, millets, and seasonal fruits. Fresh vegetables can also be used. Strict hygiene standards must be maintained during food storage, preparation, and serving to prevent contamination and spoilage. Only safe drinking water should be used.

No Junk Food:

The education department has taken reports of health issues among children due to junk food consumption seriously. Noodles, chips, chocolates, and other junk foods are not allowed in special meals, and stale food should not be served. Teachers and cooks are advised to taste the food before serving it to students. Up to 100 special meal events can be organized each year.

“According to the guidelines, special meal programs should be organized at the school level. Parents and community donors should be encouraged to provide supplementary nutritious food items as gifts to children,” said B.B. Kaveri, Commissioner, the School Education Department.

Translated from a Kannada article by Rakesh N.S.