The Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) recently launched its first ever campaign on setting up of School Nutrition (Kitchen) Gardens (SNGs) by observing a bag-less day on April 29 under the theme: ‘Kitchen Gardening & Plantation’.
This initiative was aimed at ensuring 100 percent presence of SNGs in schools serving PM POSHAN meals, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal scheme, in the state.
The SNGs are meant to have a positive impact on the supplementation of meals being served under the scheme by improving the nutritional status of students and also to educate and culminate the ever thriving students with a healthy, sustainable and mindful eating habit.
Moreover, the practice of gardening teaches the students’ teamwork and also makes them aware about the horticulture prospects.
A month before the observation of this day, all schools were given directions to make preparations in respect of identification of space and resources. In the absence of space, which is the case in most of the urban schools, they were advised to use pots and planters.
In various districts, the Horticulture Department and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) came forward to provide the seeds and saplings. In many other places, community participation was witnessed where the parents and guardians came together to make fences for the kitchen garden.
On the day of observation, the entire team of PM POSHAN went to different schools. It was a day which saw the establishment of over 3,000 SNGs in schools. From around SNG presence in 9 percent of schools during 2023, the figures have now increased to 40 percent and continue to grow every day.
The department is committed to continue their efforts to achieve 100 percent coverage of SNGs in our schools and expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders who participated and played a key role to achieve this massive increase in SNGs.
