Nutritional status of students by supplementing the meals served
Agency
REGIONAL, May 13, 2024: The Directorate of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) recently launched its first ever campaign on setting up School Nutrition (Kitchen) Gardens (SNG) by observing a bag-less day in April under the theme: ‘Kitchen Gardening & Plantation’. This initiative aims to ensure that 100% of schools serving PM POSHAN Meals (formerly known as Mid-Day Meals) in the State have SNGs.
The Director of DSEL, Swapnil Tembe, explains that this initiative will have a positive impact on the nutritional status of students by supplementing the meals served under the Scheme and also aims to educate and instil healthy, sustainable and mindful eating habits in students.
Besides, the practice of gardening teaches students teamwork and raises awareness about horticulture prospects. A month before the observation of this day, all schools were given directions to make preparations for the identification of space and resources.
In cases where space is limited, such as in most urban schools, they were advised to use pots and planters. The SDSEOs were asked to collaborate with line departments to arrange logistics. In various districts, the Horticulture department and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) provided seeds and saplings, while in other places, community participation was witnessed as parents and guardians came together to make fences for the kitchen garden.
On the day of observation, the entire team of PM POSHAN visited different schools, and even the DCs, BDOs and SDSEOs joined the events in their respective places. This day saw the establishment of over 3000 SNGs in schools.
From only 9% of schools having SNGs in 2023, the figures have now increased to 40% and continue to grow every day.
The department is committed to continuing their efforts to achieve 100% coverage of SNGs in schools and expresses gratitude to all stakeholders who participated and played a key role in achieving this massive increase in SNGs.
https://indigenousherald.com/