Collector orders hygiene checks in schools after midday meal incident; 38,390 students appear for SSLC exam in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: Following an incident in which students reportedly fell ill after consuming the midday meal at a government school in Kavundampalayam, the district administration has directed that kitchens and school premises across the district be thoroughly cleaned.

District Collector Pawankumar G. Giriyappanavar said a special team has been constituted to inspect hygiene conditions, the quality of food items, and cooking practices in schools. The District Collector inspected the examination centre at Michael School near Town Hall in Coimbatore on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters later, he said the Class 10 (SSLC) public examination for the academic year 2025–2026 commenced on March 11 and will continue until April 6.

In Coimbatore district, the examinations are being held at 159 centres. A total of 38,390 students from 509 schools, including 18,861 boys and 19,529 girls, are appearing for the exams. In addition, 1,237 private candidates are also taking the examination. The district administration has put in place several precautionary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the exams. Question papers are being secured at 11 custody centres, where 22 officials and armed police personnel have been deployed.

Further, 48 designated routes have been arranged for the safe transportation of question papers and answer sheets. To ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations, 159 chief superintendents, 2,075 invigilators, 250 flying and stationary squad officials, and 316 office staff have been deployed across the centres. In addition, 946 scribes have been appointed to assist differently-abled students appearing for the examination.

The Collector said all necessary facilities had been arranged to ensure that students can write the examination without any difficulty. Responding to a question on the reported LPG cylinder shortage, he said a meeting was held last Saturday with officials of IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), and cylinder agency representatives. He added that there is no immediate shortage of cylinders in Coimbatore district, and agencies have been instructed to inform the district administration immediately if any shortage arises, so that prompt action can be taken. Addressing the incident at the Kavundampalayam government school, he reiterated that instructions have been issued to ensure thorough cleaning of kitchens and school premises and that teams have been formed to inspect hygiene standards, quality of food items, and cooking practices in schools across the district.