The Hindu 12.02.2010
Mayor to seek Government support for free breakfast
Staff Reporter
Novel and noble: Mayor S. Sujatha interacting with students of Thanjammal Memorial Elementary School at Seva Sangam Complex, Tiruchi.
TIRUCHI: Presence of the Mayor, S. Sujatha, at the fourth anniversary of ‘community breakfast scheme’ on Thursday at the Thanjammal Memorial School on the Seva Sangam premises, carried out under School Improvement Programme (SIP), was an opportunity for the organisers to bring to her notice the ‘free breakfast scheme’ being implemented by the Thiruvanandapuram City Corporation for the benefit of 7,000 children from financially backward families in 15-aided schools.
With the support of sponsors and philanthropists, the Community Breakfast Scheme in the Tiruchi City Corporation had been expanding.
There were now nearly 2,800 urban poor children belonging over 37 aided and municipal primary and upper primary schools benefitting from the scheme, said S. Sivakumar, Senior Lecturer, District Institute of Education and Training, Kumulur, based on whose research study, the scheme was introduced during February, 2007.
According to the study, urban poor children, who attended schools with empty stomach lacked concentration in the classes.
In schools covered by the scheme, students were found to be punctual.
Applauding the initiative, Ms. Sujatha expressed her inclination to take up the idea with the Government seeking official backing for the scheme.
Accompanied by the School Headmistress, R. Visalakshi, the Mayor served breakfast of sweet pongal, idlis, sambar and chutney to the children and later interacted with them. The children demonstrated an impressive academic performance with their ABL (Activity Based Learning) techniques.
Speaking on the occasion, the Assistant Elementary Education Officer, M. Ayyasami, Tiruchi West, said that children were promptly reporting to schools at 8.30 a.m. for the free breakfast and were active in classrooms thereafter.
The Chief Educational Officer, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, M. Vijayakumari, delivered a special address on the occasion and praised the teachers for the academic performance of the children.
The CEO handed over free uniforms sponsored by the Canara Bank to 350 children on the occasion.
The Councillor of 44th ward Hema, Canara Bank Manager K. Bharathi, the Administrative functionary of Sri Satru Samhara Murthy Swamigal Ashram Santhanam offered felicitations.
