TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Concerned over the menu and quality of mid-day meals supplied to schools in light of the recent food poisoning incident at a Canacona school, the PTA of a school in Mapusa has demanded a change in the menu of the mid-day meal scheme.
About 400 parents attended the recent PTA meeting of Saraswat Vidyalaya High School, Khorlim-Mapusa and it was decided to submit a memorandum to the education department to change the menu of the mid-day meal.
“During the rainy season, the mid-day meals supplied to schools may prove dangerous to the students, if quality is not maintained. There have been incidents where meals have caused students to fall ill,” complained a parent.
A parent asked if they could suggest and chalk out their own menu for the school.
“If it is allowed, we could make a menu that suits the students. Most of the time the pulao and shira supplied by self-help groups are not eaten by students and it is wasted. Instead, it would be better if some other food items are supplied to the students,” suggested a parent.
Headmaster Sanjiv Prabhu Dharwadkar said the mid-day meal menu is pre-defined and the school cannot change the menu.
Later, the PTA decided to submit a memorandum requesting the Education department to change the menu so that wastage is reduced.
The issue of security of the school and the students also came up for discussion. Saraswat Education Society Vice President Pradeep Joshi said they have already taken steps towards security of the students. He pointed that there is a need for another security guard and that a CCTV camera would soon be installed in the school.
A parent highlighted the issue of traffic problem in Khorlim during school hours.
Joshi said the deputy collector has issued an order and has made the ‘Koleghati’ road leading towards the school one-way and has also deployed a policeman during peak hours.
PTA President Rama Raul, Vice President Girish Keni, Secretary Poornima Naik and others were present for the meeting.
