The Karnataka government has issued a new instruction to improve the nutritional quality of midday meals served to children in government and government-aided schools. Pulses are made mandatory for school midday meals; quantities are prescribed for students according to class levels.
The School Education Department has asked schools to ensure that every child gets the required quantity of pulses in his/her daily meal. This will help tackle nutritional deficiencies among schoolchildren, improve their health and physical development.
Classes 1 to 5 students must take 20 grams of pulses per day, and Classes 6 to 10 students must take 30 grams per day.
The move is expected to boost the nutritional value of meals served under the midday meal programme across Karnataka.
How Much Dal Will Students Get Every Day?
The School Education Department has prescribed different quantities of pulses for age and class level of students. Schools should follow these quantities while preparing midday meals.
The daily quantity prescribed for each student is as follows:
| Class | Daily Pulses Per Student |
|---|---|
| Classes 1 to 5 | 20 grams |
| Classes 6 to 10 | 30 grams |
The department has asked schools to use these quantities when preparing meals. The idea is that children get enough protein and other nutrients from their food every day.
Why Has the Government Made Pulses Mandatory?
Pulses are an important source of plant protein, dietary fibre and nutrients. Protein is important for children’s physical growth, muscle development and overall health.
Including pulses regularly in school meals can improve the nutritional quality of food (children may not be getting a balanced diet at home).
The government’s move is meant to tackle malnutrition and nutritional deficiency among school-going children. Pulses should be made part of midday meals as well so that students get a balanced diet, the department said.
Protein is not all pulses are about. Pulses also contain nutrients that help digestion and general health.
Schools Must Follow the Weekly Food Menu
The department also asked schools to prepare midday meals as per the weekly food menu. Pulses should be included in meals apart from vegetables in the required quantity.
Teachers and those who prepare food must follow the nutritional recommendations given, and the quantity and quality of ingredients should be consistent.
The instructions apply to government and government-aided schools under the midday meal scheme in Karnataka.
Midday Meal Scheme Focuses on Children's Nutrition
The midday meal programme helps children get access to nutritious food and encourages school attendance. For many students, the meal served at school is part of their daily diet.
The new directive is meant to strengthen this programme by including pulses in the prescribed quantity. Hunger as well as nutritional deficiency will be tackled through this initiative, says the government.
For primary school students, 20 grams of pulses and for Classes 6 to 10, 30 grams will have to be included in the daily meal preparation. Schools will need to make this part of their daily menu planning.
This shows the state’s commitment to improving food quality and supporting the health and development of schoolchildren.
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