Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

No food, no study!

Hyderabad: When troubled by pangs of hunger, education can be the last thing on the mind. That’s the case with many students of government schools in the twin cities. Forget lunch, many of them come to school even without breakfast. Expecting good results from them is a wishful thinking if not a cruel joke.

This is considered one of the factors, the most important one perhaps, for the poor performance of government schools in 10th class.

In a bid to address the issue, the district authorities are looking to NGOs to bail them out. Organisations like the Lions Club, Hotel Marriot, Kakatiya ITC and some corporate hospitals are being requested to provide mid-day meal to class X students in the city.

There are about 7000 students in 10th class in government schools. From this month onwards, they have to remain in school from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. as per the common academic programme charted out for improvement of SSC results. Special classes are being arranged for them. But in the absence of lunch most of the students are found to be not attentive.

“If they are given meals and some refreshment they will definitely show more interest. It is here that we want the NGOs to contribute,” says B. Mallamma, DEO, Hyderabad. At present the mid-day meal scheme is extended to students of classes I to V by the Government of India and from classes VI to VII by the State government. But many in the Education Department feel the scheme ought to be extended up to 10th students in all mandals.

Absence of subject teachers is another factor for the SSC result of government schools in the district being a poor 33.2 per cent. As many as 1,200 vacancies exist since promotions have been held up for the last six years due to a court case.

To ensure that children do not suffer, 226 eligible teachers from primary schools have been deputed to high schools.

Besides, 52 vidya volunteers have been drafted. Supply of study material and incentives for students scoring 500 marks and above are planned to break the jinx and improve the pass percentage this year.

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