Mangalore : Even Prices of vegetables seen a sharp rise, government and government-aided schools in Dakshina Kannada district do not find it tough to provide nutritious mid-day meals to students.The Akshaya Butti scheme launched last year, made every student residing in rural areas to bring at least one vegetable grown at home every day to school.
It is not mandatory for students to bring vegetables every day, but they are encouraged to bring homegrown vegetables. There is a good response to the scheme, with 50% of students in rural areas bringing vegetables to school,says Manjula KL, education officer, Akshara Dasoha.
Dakshina Kannada district has 2,16,000 students from Class 1 to 10, in its 1,426 government and aided schools.
Students bring vegetables on rotation basis – batches of students have been formed, and only one batch brings vegetables on a given day, said Manjula to the sources.
The government spends Rs 3.11 for each primary school student, Rs 4.65 for higher primary and Rs 6.16 for high school students.