TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: While parents have voiced concern over repeated instances of students falling ill due to mid-day meals, the school manager has endorsed the concept of the mid-day meal scheme provided that proper care is taken while preparing the food.
“It is high time that the state government takes stringent measure to ensure that such incidents do not take place in future. There are various incidents in the state wherein school children have fallen ill after consuming food supplied through mid-day meal scheme. There is this recent horrifying incident in Bihar too,” said Pramod Gaude, the father of a student admitted to the Ponda sub district hospital, while interacting with reporters.
“If the government is unable to manage (this scheme), then I feel it would be wise to stop this mid-meal scheme,” Gaude added.
When contacted, the school manager, Fr Felix Lobo, who rushed to the hospital after being informed of the situation, was averse to the idea of stopping the mid-meal scheme.
“I don’t think it would be wise to point fingers at the food supplied under mid-day meal scheme. If it were so, then all those students who had consumed that food should have complained (of pain). Whatever may be the reason, it is for the authorities to investigate,” said Fr Lobo.
When asked if the government should handover the responsibility of supplying food to the respective school managements, Fr Lobo replied: “It would be wise if school managements come forward and accept the responsibility to supply food to the students. At our school, we have formed a SHG of parents and they have already moved an application in this regard.”
“I feel that the mid-day meal scheme should continue, especially in village areas where it is needed the most. But proper care has to be taken while preparing food for students,” he added.
