Distribution of eggs, bananas not regular in over 560 schools in Karnataka, finds inspection report

Eggs are being distributed as an additional nutrient along with mid-day meal to students from classes 1 to 10 on six days a week, and bananas are being distributed to students, who do not receive eggs, in all government and aided schools in Karnataka. However, a recent report has found that this distribution is not uniform. The distribution is irregular in over 560 schools.

With the help of Azim Premji Foundation for Development (APF), steps were taken to provide eggs for six days a week from September 2024. The APF inspection team inspected about 762 schools across Karnataka, out of which, the School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) in 568 schools were found to have taken improper decisions regarding the distribution of eggs and bananas.

They had decided to distribute eggs to students three days a week and bananas on the remaining three days. In some other schools, it has been decided to distribute bananas instead of eggs on Mondays and Saturdays. Despite obtaining parental consent, it was found that a unilateral decision had been made to distribute bananas instead of eggs to students six days a week.

According to the report, the highest number of schools where eggs and bananas are being distributed irregularly is in Tumakuru district — 132 .

This is followed by Chikkamagaluru district (74 schools), 56 in Bengaluru Rural district, 50 in Kolar district, 37 in Dakshina Kannada, 36 in Raichur, and 21 schools in Shivamogga, the native district of School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa.

The report has been submitted to the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL).

“It is not right for SDMCs take a decision to distribute eggs in schools on two or three days instead of six days a week, even with the consent of the parents. SDMCs are not allowed to take such decisions on their own ,” said Director of PM Poshan, Shakti Nirman.

The Headmaster of the school, the officials concerned are not paying attention to such cases, and such wrong practices have not been corrected so far, which leads to dereliction of duty and neglect of the interests of the programme.

“As a result, the nutritional support programme will suffer a serious setback. If this continues, the officers concerned will be held responsible and disciplinary action will be taken,” he added.