NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The Class IX and Class X students in the state could be enjoying the mid-day meals from forthcoming academic year, as the department of education is seriously considering a proposal given by the Bengaluru-based Akshaya Patra Foundation for providing mid-day meal to these students, studying in the local secondary schools.
The ISKCON-backed Akshaya Patra Foundation commonly known as Akshaya Patra is a non-profit organisation that runs school lunch programme across the country.
Coming out with this information, director of education G P Bhat said the mid-day meal scheme is run in Goan schools through the central assistance, and that there is no central provision for serving mid-day meals to the Class IX and Class X students.
“If we accept the proposal of the Akshaya Patra then the state government will have make financial provision for the same,” he noted.
The scheme presently covers the students from primary to upper primary classes.
The director of education also maintained that the proposal would be placed before the government.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told ‘The Navhind Times’ that he is yet to receive such a proposal from the education department.
Parsekar, who also holds the education portfolio, also maintained that the work carried out by the Akshaya Patra Foundation needs to be applauded.
“They are known for providing quality meals,” he noted.