Karnataka mid-day meals: Eggs six days a week have increased attendance, says Department of Public Instruction
A file photo of government school children being given boiled eggs along with rice, as part of the mid-day meals. | Photo Credit: SRIRAM MA The State government’s move to distribute eggs six days a week as an additional nutrient along with midday meals to school children has made a huge difference in the attendance in government and aided schools, according to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Earlier, when eggs were provided twice a week, the attendance of students was 93.5%, but now it has increased to 98.97%, according to DPI officials. In addition, the number of children eating eggs has increased by about four times compared to the number of students eating bananas — the other additional nutrient being given in schools, officials said. To prevent malnutrition in school children, eggs, bananas and groundnut chikkies were provided to students in government and aided schools from Classes 1 to 10 as additional nutrients along with midday meals. With the help of Azim Premji Foundation for Development (APF), steps were then taken to provide eggs …
