- By Aashish Vashistha
- Sat, 20 Jul 2024 04:14 PM (IST)
- Source:IANS
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced that the students of government and government-aided schools in the state will get eggs for six days a week. This comes as the Azim Premji Foundation entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka government to support the nutritional enrichment of the state government’s mid-day meal program in state-run schools for three years. Currently, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka is already providing eggs two days a week.
According to the official press release shared by the Azim Premji Foundation, eggs will be added to the mid-day meal for the 55 lakh students in these schools -- from Grade 1 to Grade 10, enhancing nutritional enrichment.
The chief minister also announced the provision of free supplementary nutritious food six days a week to children in government and aided primary and secondary schools. While inaugurating a programme in partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation, CM Siddaramaiah said, “Creating opportunities for good education for the children of the poor is our aspiration.”
“I have seen children come to school without breakfast and stay until noon without lunch. Hence, we decided to provide meals and eggs two days a week. The Azim Premji Foundation has joined hands with the government in this noble cause to provide eggs and supplementary nutritious food to children,” Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
The Karnataka CM also asked school students to develop scientifically and intellectually so that they can become socially responsible. “Creating opportunities for good education for the children of the poor is our aspiration. For this reason, we are providing uniforms, shoes, and socks, and opening more residential schools,” the chief minister said.
During the programme, Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Wipro Chairman Azim Premji couple, the government's Additional Chief Secretary LK Atheek Ahmed, Guarantee Implementation Committee Vice President Mehrooz, and chief minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, were present.