Balal panchayat president Raju Kattakayam inaugurating the breakfast scheme a school.
| Photo Credit: special arrangement
At a time when schools are struggling to provide mid-day meals, Balal panchayat in Kasaragod, Kerala, has introduced a breakfast scheme for students in all upper primary and lower primary schools under its limits.
The panchayat has allocated ₹7.5 lakh from its annual Plan Fund for the initiative, aimed at encouraging children to continue their education. The programme is to ensure that “no child attends school on an empty stomach.”
Panchayat president Raju Kattakayam, who inaugurated the scheme, said it has been implemented in all the UP and LP schools in the panchayat.
He said the panchayat has one UP and five LP schools and the scheme will benefit around 500 students, mostly from the scheduled tribe community. He said that 20% of the total population in the panchayat comprises the tribal community.
Earlier, many tribal children dropped out of the school due to financial and social reasons. This has been curtailed to a great extent following the efforts of the teachers.
The schools will serve a rotating menu, including idli-sambar, Upma with banana, dosa with chutney and other food items everyday. Some schools such as Edathode Shantha Venugopal Memorial Government School, with a strength of 250 students, are additionally providing milk and egg every day.
He said the panchayat expects the initiative to reduce attrition rates in schools and set a model for other local bodies.
Published – August 21, 2025 10:18 am IST
