Kids bored of ‘khichdi’, Himachal education department asks schools to ensure variety
SHIMLA:“I am bored of the midday meal served to us as khichdi is all we get most of the times,” says Srijana, a Class-2 student of Shamathala government primary school in Kotgarh.
Gopal and Geeta, students of government primary school in Bhalari, shun the monotonous meals on platter as well.
There are schools in Himachal Pradesh where tedium of diets have bored the children, bringing the education department to pull its socks. Direction to add variety has been issued by the department. In some areas, the scheme has been rechristened as ‘khichdi scheme’.
“Though the department is focused on serving variety in food but field constraints pose a hurdle. In rural areas, there is ususally a dearth of vegetables. The times when we do not get pulses, dalia or other carbohydrates-rich cereals, we are left with no option but to cook khichdi,” a school head teacher from Rampur block said, requesting anonymity.
“Schools with single teachers have such issues. A single teacher has a responsibility to look after midday meals besides teaching,” JR Azaad, a retired school teacher said, adding, “These days, teachers are more busy with cooking midday meals instead of teaching.”
There are over 15,000 schools in Himachal where midday meal is served. The menus are different for different districts, depending upon availability of material.
“The times when either vegetables or pulses are not available, then Khichdi is served, but it can’t be allowed to be a daily affair,” elementary education director Manmohan Singh said.
He added that directions have been issued to the field staff to break the diet monotony. However, the menu of midday meals include pulses, vegetables and kheer (payasam).
Schoolchildren, especially from primary sections, do not complain.
“Even if they are served halfcooked food, children will eat it with fun. But it is our responsibility to serve them proper food to meet the nutritious requirement,” Manmohan said.
Now health department has been asked to suggest diet within the financial limits of midday meal scheme. “We are focusing on enhancing the nutritional values in food. It will also break the monotony,” he added.