<p>Thiruvananthapuram: While a decision of the Kerala government to introduce dishes like vegetable fried rice or biriyani in the mid-day meal menu for schools could have brought cheers to students, for teachers the decision is quite difficult to digest as they are already struggling to meet the existing meal schemes.</p><p>It was in accordance with the recommendations of an expert committee appointed by the government to revamp the mid-day meal scheme that state general education minister V Sivankutty announced on Tuesday that vegetable fried-rice or biriyani would be given once a week to the students and microgreens would be also included in the diet twice a month. </p><p>Fried-rice or biriyani will be made using fortified rice.</p>.'Irresponsible': Congress slams Kerala govt for exempting mid-day meal scheme from obtaining food safety licence.<p>A section of teachers have raised serious concerns over the decision citing the meagre amount being provided and the undue delay in the allocation of funds.</p><p>At present Rs 6.78 and Rs 10.17 per primary and upper primary student respectively is being allowed by the Central and State government jointly in 60:40 ratio for the mid-day meal. Apart from this, the state government is providing Rs 6 per egg once in a week and Rs 50 per litre milk for providing 150 ml milk twice a week to students. </p><p>"Even the existing rates are inadequate to provide the existing diet. Teachers are running from pillar to post in most schools. Hence enhancing the diet without enhancing the funds could not be justified," a statement from the Kerala School Teachers Union said.</p>.Enhance mid-day meal programme.<p>The union urged that the decision to enhance the diet should be implemented only after discussions with teachers and after proper evaluation of the cost.</p><p>Teachers also point out that there used to be undue delay in allowing funds for the mid meal scheme.</p><p>"The funds for January to March were given only in May. It's difficult for teachers in charge of the mid-day meal scheme to run the show. Most teachers are forced to spend from their pocket. Many teachers are even relinquishing the headmaster/headmistress post to get rid of the responsibility of the mid-day meal scheme," said a teacher.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: While a decision of the Kerala government to introduce dishes like vegetable fried rice or biriyani in the mid-day meal menu for schools could have brought cheers to students, for teachers the decision is quite difficult to digest as they are already struggling to meet the existing meal schemes.</p><p>It was in accordance with the recommendations of an expert committee appointed by the government to revamp the mid-day meal scheme that state general education minister V Sivankutty announced on Tuesday that vegetable fried-rice or biriyani would be given once a week to the students and microgreens would be also included in the diet twice a month. </p><p>Fried-rice or biriyani will be made using fortified rice.</p>.'Irresponsible': Congress slams Kerala govt for exempting mid-day meal scheme from obtaining food safety licence.<p>A section of teachers have raised serious concerns over the decision citing the meagre amount being provided and the undue delay in the allocation of funds.</p><p>At present Rs 6.78 and Rs 10.17 per primary and upper primary student respectively is being allowed by the Central and State government jointly in 60:40 ratio for the mid-day meal. Apart from this, the state government is providing Rs 6 per egg once in a week and Rs 50 per litre milk for providing 150 ml milk twice a week to students. </p><p>"Even the existing rates are inadequate to provide the existing diet. Teachers are running from pillar to post in most schools. Hence enhancing the diet without enhancing the funds could not be justified," a statement from the Kerala School Teachers Union said.</p>.Enhance mid-day meal programme.<p>The union urged that the decision to enhance the diet should be implemented only after discussions with teachers and after proper evaluation of the cost.</p><p>Teachers also point out that there used to be undue delay in allowing funds for the mid meal scheme.</p><p>"The funds for January to March were given only in May. It's difficult for teachers in charge of the mid-day meal scheme to run the show. Most teachers are forced to spend from their pocket. Many teachers are even relinquishing the headmaster/headmistress post to get rid of the responsibility of the mid-day meal scheme," said a teacher.</p>