Telangana: Seethakka Urges Centre to Start Breakfast in Schools Scheme

Hyderabad: The Centre should consider introducing a breakfast scheme in schools on the lines of the mid-day meals programme, a move that will go a long way in not only encouraging attendance in government schools but also provide nutrition to children, minister Danasari Anasuya ‘Seethakka’ has said.

Addressing a conclave in Agra, organised by the departments of social justice and empowerment, and empowerment of persons with disabilities, Seethakka said that government school students, many from poor families, come to the school without having breakfast. Providing breakfast at school would also help them concentrate better, leading to improved learning outcomes, Seethakka said.

She also said the experiment of opening a small hospital in a container in Mulugu district had become successful and the model should be replicated in the rest of the country to provide primary health care in inaccessible areas. Seethakka also urged the Centre to extend for the second child, the National Maternity Benefit Scheme aimed at women from poor families. The Centre provides Rs 6,000 to beneficiaries for the first child.