It has come to the notice of this office that many schools are
still purchasing vegetables from open markets which are infested with
poisonous pesticides and chemicals. This is in violation of the
instructions issued by this office as per Circular No.NM1.39000/2017/DPI
dated 30.05.2017 and in Circular No.NM.A1-40001/2017/DPI dated
12.06.2017.
DDEs , DEOs and AEOs shall take urgent immediate steps to ensure
that schools purchase clean and fresh vegetables which are free from
harmful and poisonous pesticides. Vegetables shall be purchased from
Horticorp shops and for this, schools can enter into an agreement with
Horticorp authorities for supplying vegetables on regular basis. Locally
cultivated ( in homes, farmlands, etc) vegetables free from pesticides
may also be purchased. Schools shall be asked to set up vegetable
gardens (kitchen gardens) utilizing the financial assistance given by
Agricultural Offices (Rs.5000/-). PTA, LSGD institutions, NGOs, etc can
be involved to play an important role in these efforts. Awareness
programmes may be organized at sub-district levels highlighting the
importance of vegetable gardens at schools and homes. Parents of
children availing noon meal may be requested to come forward and co-operate with this initiative.
As all of you are aware, we are committed to provide clean,
nutritive and healthy meal to our children utilizing whatever limited
resources we have. Nothing can stop us from this endeavor. "Children's
health is Nation's wealth'- this is our motto. We all should work
towards nurturing a healthy generation of young men and women on whose
shoulders the future of nation rests.
DDEs, DEOs and AEOs shall with the co-operation of school PTAs and School Noon
Feeding Committees take immediate necessary steps to ensure that
schools under their jurisdiction purchase clean and fresh vegetables
from horticorp shops or from locally available sources.
These instructions shall be carried out immediately and a
consolidated report regarding the steps taken in each district shall be
furnished to this office on or before 22.06.2017 without fail.
By the exclusive orders of Director of Public Instruction
Sd/-
P SOMARAJAN
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT,
NOON MEAL SECTION.
DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
