Schools in DK district insist parents give healthy tiffin box

MANGALURU: The schools in coastal districts are insisting parents send healthy food, as they have noticed the tiffin boxes of children are loaded with junk food like pizzas, burgers, french fries, instant noodles, bakery items, sausages, or other easy snacking options.

The school management has been asking parents, during the meetings or reminding them through school apps to load the tiffin boxes with healthy options, such as home-cooked food and fruits. In 2016, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular and asked teachers to open the tiffin boxes of students to check their unhealthy food consumption.

Surekha Bhat, principal of Canara High School, told TOI: “We have instructed parents to pack only healthy or home-cooked food. We informed them, that if the child had a good breakfast in the morning, pack some fruits as snacks. If they fail to have breakfast, pack the same for the tiffin,” stressed Bhat.

“At the beginning of the academic year, during orientation sessions, we tell parents to send healthy food, such as home-cooked food, fruits, and others. We also inform junk food is not allowed,” said Sr Melissa, principal of Mount Carmel Central School.

At times, students also educate their parents on healthy food options, says Reshma Nayak Sujir, principal of The Bharat Academy, Kuntikan. “At school, children are educated about healthy and unhealthy foods. When parents pack junk, the children tell them it is not right. Also, teachers at the school monitor what children eat. If we find any child bringing junk, we talk to the parents and also give them options for healthy food. Besides, the school has a cafeteria facility that serves healthy food,” said Sujir, adding that they have noticed behavioural problems among children who consume more junk food compared to those who eat healthy food.

A parent, whose children study at a private school in Moodbidri, said that the school constantly sends a reminder note every week that children must pack healthy food. “The school had noticed, especially among higher class students, that they bring instant noodles and other junk items in their tiffin box,” the parent shared.


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