Amid growing criticism over the mid-day meal programme in government schools across Andhra Pradesh, a shocking incident has come to light in Kadapa district. Visuals from a Zilla Parishad school in Lingala mandal have gone viral on social media, reportedly showing students struggling to get enough food.
With the limited quantity of food failing to meet the students’ needs, some children were seen searching through the serving vessels for leftover rice and food grains. The visuals have left many people deeply disturbed.
The mid-day meal supplied to the school from a central kitchen was reportedly insufficient for the number of students. The viral visuals appear to show children trying to collect the remaining food from the vessels after being unable to get a sufficient meal.
The incident has triggered criticism over the failure to ensure that students receive adequate and nutritious food during school hours. Parents and others are questioning how such a situation could arise in a government school, where providing a proper mid-day meal is an important welfare measure.
‘Food Was Left Over Yesterday, So We Sent Less Today’
The explanation reportedly given by officials has also sparked controversy.
According to the MEO (Mandal Education Officer), less food was sent to the school because some food had reportedly remained unused the previous day.
The explanation has left students’ parents questioning whether the quantity of food should not be calculated according to the number of students attending school each day.
Parents are reportedly asking whether students should be left hungry simply because some food was left over the previous day. They argue that officials should ensure adequate food is supplied every day based on the actual number of students.
Where Is the ‘Daily Menu’?
The incident has also raised questions about the implementation of the government’s claims regarding nutritious food and reforms in the school education system.
While the government maintains that several reforms are being introduced to improve the education system and ensure nutritious meals for government school students, incidents such as this have raised concerns about conditions on the ground.
Critics are pointing to a series of incidents reported from different parts of the state, including cases involving unsafe school infrastructure, alleged problems with medicines provided to students, and instances where students reportedly fell ill after consuming food.
These incidents have intensified the debate over whether adequate monitoring mechanisms are in place in government schools.
Questions Over Education Department’s Monitoring
The viral visuals of children struggling to find enough food have also drawn attention to the functioning of the Education Department.
Critics argue that while Education Minister Nara Lokesh speaks about reforms and improvements in the education system, incidents involving basic facilities such as adequate mid-day meals continue to raise concerns.
The viral video of children searching for leftover food has sparked strong reactions on social media, with many questioning why students are being forced to struggle for a basic meal in a government school.
The incident has once again brought the implementation and monitoring of the mid-day meal programme in Andhra Pradesh government schools under scrutiny.
