Demand grows to extend eggs to students of classes 9 and 10

Shrinivasa.M
Mysuru: The state government’s decision to distribute eggs, bananas, and chikkis to the students studying between Classes 1 and 8 as part of the mid-day meal scheme is now causing a heartburn to the students studying in Classes 9 and 10 who share the campus with Class 8 students in the government and government-aided high schools across the state. This has forced the high school teachers to adopt a number of techniques to ensure that Class 9 and 10 students do not end up fighting with Class 8 students over eggs or bananas.
The teachers, who spoke to TOI from government high schools in the district, explained that the biggest challenge they are facing right now while serving the mid-day meal is ensuring that eggs, bananas, and chikkis does not cause a headache for them.
A majority of the high schools in the district have Classes 8, 9, and 10 in a single campus. This scheme is only for students of Class 8 and as the lunch break is the same for all the students, we are facing this problem, explained teachers.
According to a teacher, on the days that eggs are served, they serve mid-day meals to Class 8 students only after Class 9 and 10 students finish their lunch. “The students ask us why they are denied this privilege of eggs, bananas, and chikkis. We don’t have any answer as it is the government scheme,” said a high school teacher, who wished to remain anonymous.
Another teacher informed that eggs and bananas are divided between all students despite only Class 8 students being eligible. “Practically it is not possible to serve eggs separately to just one set students. So, we divide these eggs and bananas among the students present. Else senior students start questioning. Local donors are not interested to extend support to expand the scheme to all the students,” he said.
Commissioner for public instruction R Vishal informed that a proposal to extend the eggs, bananas, and chikkis to Classes 9 and 10 has not been approved by the state government.