21 hours Ago
Pune: A 13-page communication on heatwave precaution guidelines issued on March 21 by the state disaster management department advising the education department to tell administrations of govt schools to provide all students with buttermilk has drawn ire. School managements want to know where the funds for the buttermilk will come from. Teachers' and principals' associations said the instructions were impractical.
Maharashtra has been experiencing severe heat this year and govt schools will continue until April 25, putting the students at risk of heat-related health problems. Teachers' representatives said govt should have considered making separate financial provisions when issuing such instructions. A glass of buttermilk costs Rs 10 and schools have hundreds of students which makes it a significant expense.
School education minister Dada Bhuse on Thursday told TOI that the instruction was not mandatory, but if implemented, would help students. Bhuse said, "The instructions have been issued in order to facilitate good health of students. It is not mandatory, but schools may try to add this to the meals wherever possible.
School management committees may also explore options of public participation or CSR funds for the effort." Among the many instructions, the department said that students should be accommodated rooms that are cool and under the midday meal scheme, students should be given sherbet, buttermilk, and ORS. President of Maharashtra State Primary Teachers' Association Vijay Kombe said, "In Wardha district, there was no supply of rice and other grains for Feb and March.
Students come to school in the morning and stay until 11 or 11.30am. Since mothers leave for work in the morning, teachers are personally funding and borrowing to cook nutritional meals at school so that students do not remain hungry.
This new instruction to add cold drinks will be a strain. We don't have any funds to provide anything extra to students." Mahendra Ganpule, former vice president of State Headmasters' Association, said, "Govt's instructions are appropriate, but where will the money for cold drinks and buttermilk come from? If students and parents hold them accountable for not providing buttermilk, what will be their answer.
" Schools in the city said that the responsibility of making arrangements for providing buttermilk and the other items as mentioned in the norms was huge. School teacher Santosh Raut said, "Preparing a glass of juice or buttermilk means additional manpower or has to be bought readymade from shops. Although the intention is good, feasibility should also be taken into consideration while issuing such guidelines.
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