Thiruvananthapuram , 29 July (H.S.):The Kerala government has withdrawn the mandatory revised menu introduced for the State's school midday meal scheme by the previous administration, replacing it with flexible guidelines that allow individual schools to decide their lunch menus based on available funds and students' preferences.

The revised menu, introduced at the beginning of the previous academic year, had proposed a wider variety of dishes, including fried rice, biryani, egg roast and egg avial, with the aim of improving the nutritional value and appeal of school lunches. However, the initiative remained largely on paper as the government did not enhance the financial allocation for the scheme, making it difficult for schools to prepare the expanded menu within the existing budget.

In fresh guidelines issued for the current academic year, the General Education Department has left menu planning to school midday meal committees. Schools have been instructed to ensure that every meal includes rice with two side dishes while maintaining the prescribed nutritional standards. Adequate quantities of vegetables and pulses must also be included in the meals.

The department has circulated a two-week sample menu featuring items such as coconut rice, carrot rice, lemon rice, vegetable biryani and egg curry. However, these dishes are only suggestive and not mandatory. Schools may also include fish and meat in the menu depending on the availability of funds and the preferences of students.

The policy shift comes as schools continue to struggle with rising food preparation costs. The combined contribution of the Centre and the State currently stands at only ₹6.19 per student per day for children up to Class V and ₹9.29 per student for those studying in Classes VI to VIII.

School authorities say the existing allocation is no longer adequate in view of the sharp increase in the prices of cooking gas, eggs, milk and other essential food items. Many schools have expressed concern that providing nutritious and varied meals within the present budget has become increasingly difficult, prompting the government to abandon the mandatory menu overhaul and restore greater flexibility to local school committees.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman