Himachal Pradesh Launches Nutritious Scheme for Schoolchildren

August 21, 2024

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana in Hamirpur, a program designed to provide nutritious food to children in government schools. This new initiative builds on the existing midday meal scheme by adding more nutritious options.

Objective of the Scheme

The Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana focuses on improving the nutrition of students from nursery to Class 8 in 15,181 schools across the state. Under this program, children will receive additional nutrition, such as boiled eggs or fruits, once a week, complementing the midday meals that currently benefit around 5.34 lakh children.

Implementation and Local Sourcing

To make sure the food is fresh and appealing to children, schools will locally source fruits, taking into account what children like to eat. This ensures that the food provided is both nutritious and enjoyable for the students. The Himachal Pradesh government has set aside Rs 12.75 crore for this initiative for the current year, showing its dedication to improving the nutrition and health of children in the state.

Digitalisation in Education

Alongside the focus on nutrition, Chief Minister Sukhu also announced that around 17,510 primary school teachers will receive tablets. This step is part of a broader effort to modernize education by providing teachers with digital tools, which will help them access resources more easily and manage their work more efficiently. The tablets will also enable teachers to participate in online training programs, helping them improve their skills and stay up-to-date with modern teaching methods.

Three-Tier Approach to Education Improvement

The Himachal Pradesh government is using a three-part strategy: ensuring schools receive enough funding, sending teachers on international trips to learn from other countries (with 217 teachers already visiting Singapore), and establishing Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools in each assembly constituency. Sukhu highlighted the important role of teachers as leaders in improving education in Himachal Pradesh. He emphasized that teachers are key to shaping the future of the state’s educational system.

« Previous Post Next Post »