Serving fine rice in school meals seems to have solved one of the key factors affecting the health of students, especially in the agency area schools. It has eliminated the problem of acidity and resultant stomach ache and burning among students completely.
“We have had no student complaining of stomach ache since fine rice began to be served here,” reveals Chahkati Nago Rao, the contract teacher who manages the mess at Ashram Upper Primary school at Hatti base camp in Kerameri mandal. “Prior to that, at least 10 students used to complain of acidity every day,” he recalls.
“All of us are able to sleep peacefully now,” he adds with a smile on his face though he shudders as the not so distant memories of students taking ill came back flooding. “Practially every night we had students being treated for stomach aches,” he goes over the memory once again.
Teachers say the intake of the students has also gone up after the advent of fine rice. The head masters of tribal welfare schools have requested authorities to increase the per capita quota of rice for students as many schools are likely to face shortages in near future. At present, each student gets to consume 500 gm of rice during a day. While he is served 200 gm of rice in lunch and dinner the breakfast consists of 100 gm of rice.
Serving fine rice in school meals has eliminated the problem of acidity and stomach pain among students at a school in Adilabad district