A boon for Jawadhu Hills tribal children’s education

TIRUVANNAMALAI: The implementation of the CM’s Breakfast Scheme has come as boon for tribal children in the Jawadhu Hills in Tiruvannamalai district, sources said.

Contrary to the usual practice of such children having either “Pazhayathu” (rice soaked in water) or the previous night’s leftovers for breakfast, they are now assured of a sumptuous breakfast of kesari (compulsory) and either kichadi or pongal daily, according to officials in the hills.

Another fall out of the scheme is that officials expect new admissions and regular attendance in the 46 panchayat union (PU) primary schools in the area.

“After the pandemic, nearly 200 tribal children joined PU primary schools when private schools citing payment to teachers for the lockdown period increased fees. But now that the children are assured of a good breakfast followed by the regular noon meal we anticipate another 200 new admissions when the new academic year starts in June next,” an official said on condition of anonymity.

The test run of the scheme a day earlier saw little kids scrambling to taste the fare at Perunkattoor hamlet of Kovilur village panchayat in the Jawadhu Hills panchayat union.

The scheme became operational in the presence of Tiruvannamalai MP CN Annadurai on Friday when a total of 1,890 children, including 902 girls participated in 46 PU primary schools in 9 village panchayats.

The highest turnout of 210 children, including 108 girls was at Perunkattoor in Kovilur panchayat while the lowest, 7, including 3 girls was at the Palamathi Primary School in Kanamalai panchayat.

While children in 12 primary schools were covered in Kanamalai panchayat, the lowest number of schools was at Thenmalaiathipet where one school were part of the scheme.

Bumpy launch in districts

The newly introduced breakfast scheme for primary school children elicited different responses from the beneficiaries on day 1.

While children who were served by MP Kathir Anand and MLAs P Karthikeyan and AP Nandakumar in Vellore along with Collector Kumaravel Pandian were seen looking lost as they were served at tables unlike in places like Ranipet and Tirupattur where the kids sat along with the VIPs on the floor.

Though the serving was slated for 8 am, the VIPs arrived at 9.30 am at the first venue while the children were brought to the spot by 7.30 am itself. Similarly, at Chinna Allapuram function, breakfast was served at 10.30 am though scheduled at 8 am. Collector Kumaravel Pandian requested the media persons not to highlight the delay as the kids were provided water and biscuits to keep hunger pangs at bay.

Feeding turns tough task for Tirupattur Collector

Tirupattur Collector Amar Kuswaha experienced the tough task of feeding kids early in the morning when the girl who sat next to his left refused to eat from his hand. Then he tried his luck with the boy seated on his right, but he also gave a tough time to the Collector by not eating. The cajoling from Daffedar and other officials had no effect on the children.

A total of 1,175 primary school students were provided breakfast in Ambur (528) and Vaniyambadi (627) municipalities in Tirupattur district. In Vellore, 3,432 students attached to 48 schools and in Tiruvannamalai a total of 3,517 children attached to 67 schools were provided food under the scheme.