As the introduction of millets in the midday meals scheme for high school students has evoked good response in the district, the Department of Public Instruction is planning to extend it to higher primary classes also.
It was planned to introduce millets in Akshara Dasoha scheme in the district from June this year. As millets was not a part of traditional diet in Malnad region comprising Hosanagar, Tirthahalli, Sorab and Sagar taluks, it was decided to offer it to students in Shivamogga, Shikaripur and Bhadravati taluks.
In June this year, 250 quintals of millets was allotted to the district. However, as the millets supplied to the district was allegedly of poor quality, the stock was sent back. This had delayed its introduction into the scheme. Finally, millets became a part of the menu under the scheme in August. The weekly allotment of millets for every child is 150 gm. Mudde or the balls prepared with millet flour is being served for students twice a week. At present, 39,865 children in 303 government and private aided high schools in the three taluks are consuming the millet balls.
Ansar Ali Beig, nodal officer of Akshara Dasoha scheme, told The Hindu that as millets is tasty and rich in nutrients, students and parents are happy with millet balls being served under the scheme.
It had been planned to provide millet-based food for the students of higher primary schools also. The department would conduct meetings soon to elicit the opinion of parents, teachers and members of school development and management committees in this regard, he said.
There has been a demand from some schools in Malnad region also for millets. The department would take a decision in this regard soon, he added.
In the wake of complaints from teachers that they were facing problems in grinding the wheat supplied under Akshara Dasoha scheme, the department had planned to introduce a centralised system of getting the wheat ground into flour and rava. Under this plan, the wheat would be ground at district-level and supplied to schools. The proposal is awaiting government’s approval. Mr. Beig said the department would soon introduce a similar centralised system of grinding ragi into flour.
