Extend midday meal scheme to unaided schools too, says management body

BENGALURU: Unaided private schools in the state want the midday meal scheme of the state government extended to their institutions also and plan to approach Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with a memorandum.

The Recognised Unaided Private Schools’ Association (RUPSA) president Halanur S Lepaksha, citing data from the Women and Child Development Department, said there are more than two lakh children in the state who are suffering from malnutrition which is leading to health issues.

“Instead of the other Bhagyas, the state government should consider extending the midday meal scheme to private unaided institutions too”, he said. Lepaksha said the association will soon meet the CM and present a memorandum to seek extension of the scheme to include private schools.

Under the midday meal scheme, hot cooked meals are provided to children of Classes 1 to 10 of both government and aided schools in the state in association with the Union government.