26 Delhi school kids hospitalised after midday meal
New Delhi, July 11: As many as 26 students of a government school in north Delhi were hospitalised after having their midday meal, prompting the Arvind Kejriwal government to order an inspection of all midday meal kitchens in the city.
Police registered an FIR after a formal complaint from the school authorities.
A police officer said that the 26 students of Classes 6 to 8 fell sick after the meal in Narela area around 10.30 a.m. They were rushed to the Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital.
"The complained of abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and vomiting. We have initiated an inquiry to find out if it was due to negligence of the school or food caterer."
As the children's condition improved after a few hours, they were discharged, except a girl Payal who found a lizard in her meal, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who holds the education portfolio, ordered an inspection of all midday meal kitchens and warned of strict action, including termination of contract and suspension of officials, in case of negligence.
"It is a serious matter. Officials have been told to inspect all kitchens over the next week and take strict action if any irregularity is found. All stakeholders will have to get their act together. Otherwise, they may face suspension," he said.
Sisodia said that the Education Department officials will hold a meeting with those responsible for the midday meal scheme on Thursday.
Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam visited the students at the hospital and said all of them were doing fine. "They had complained of pain and difficulty in breathing," he said.
"We will not tolerate any negligence. We will take strict action against the supplier. It is unfortunate that even after repeated warnings, such incidents are recurring," he said.
Last week, two girls were hospitalised after a midday meal in their school run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The vendor was booked on a complaint by the Principal.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
