For children at school, the lunch break is about more than just having a meal. At the Upper Primary Schools in Uttar Pradesh, students said they look forward to the food served under the PM Poshan scheme.
When asked about the mid-day meal, several children praised the food and described it as tasty. They said the meals had a homely taste.
Under the PM Poshan scheme, meals are served according to a fixed menu. The children said they do not get the same food every day, with different meals being served on different days.
The students are also given iron tablets throughout the week as part of efforts to look after their health.
FRESH VEGETABLES USED FOR MEALS
Fresh vegetables are used while preparing the meals for the students. Teachers said the menu prescribed under the PM Poshan scheme is followed and good-quality food ingredients are used.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, in-charge headmaster of the Upper Primary School in Robertsganj, Uttar Pradesh, said the school follows the arrangements prescribed under the scheme to provide nutritious and good-quality food to children.
OFFICIALS MONITOR FOOD QUALITY
There is also a system in place to check the quality of food served at schools.
On the instructions of the district magistrate, teams at the district and tehsil levels conduct random inspections of around four to five schools every week. Sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) are also part of these teams.
During the inspections, officials sit and eat with the students. This allows them to assess the quality of the food at the school itself.
PARENTS’ CONFIDENCE GROWS
Parents have also expressed positive views about the food served at the schools.
One parent said their child is a person with a disability and cannot hear. The child praises the food through gestures.
Another parent said they had their child withdrawn from a private school and enrolled them at the government school after receiving positive information about the school.
With children appreciating the meals, schools following the prescribed menu and officials regularly checking food quality, parents’ confidence in the government schools is also growing.
– Ends
Published On:
Sep 24, 2026 16:27 IST
