AHMEDABAD: In a case reminiscent of ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’ wherein a class teacher notoriously eats students’ lunch box, the Junagadh deputy collector (mid-day meals) in Saurashtra has issued a directive stating that teachers should only taste and not eat the mid-day meals served to poor children in government-run primary schools.The written directive to the district primary education officer (DPEO), issued earlier this month, was mandated after there were reports that many teachers were eating lunch at the school which is actually meant only for the children.“Teachers are supposed to taste the mid-day meals served in government-run primary schools to maintain quality. There are, however, reports that many teachers and even principals admit to eating these meals,” says the circular.“Ingredients for mid-day meals are measured per child and if teachers eat these meals, there will be deficiency in food served to the children. This should not be allowed. Kindly issue directives to teachers that they are only supposed to taste and not eat them,” says the circular.Hetal Joshi, the officer who issued the circular said that teachers cannot be allowed to eat into the food share of students.“Fixed amount of food — 100gm grains and 20gm of pulses for class 1-5 students and 150gm grains and 30gm of pulses for class 6-8 — is sanctioned daily. If teachers have meals in school, food available for children would be compromised,” said Joshi.DPEO Kamlesh Patel said that a notification has been issued following the deputy collector's written order.Commissioner of mid-day meals, Rajendra Trivedi, said that schools have school management committees whose members are supposed to taste food. “Eating meals meant for children is not allowed,” Trivedi said.

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