Patna: At least 60 students of Shri Chandpur Primary School in Harnaut block, Nalanda, fell ill on Friday after consuming a mid-day meal. The students began complaining of stomach aches and vomiting approximately two hours after having lunch.
Initial reports suggest that the boiled eggs served during the meal may have been the cause of the illness. Upon being informed, local health officials promptly arrived at the school and transported the affected students to Kalyan Vigha Referral Hospital for immediate medical attention.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, who led the medical team, confirmed that all students are recovering well. According to Block Program Manager (BPM) Manish Kumar, 25 students have already been discharged, while the remaining are expected to return home soon.
District Education Officer (DEO) Rajkumar stated that an investigation is underway to determine whether the incident resulted from poor food quality or negligence in meal preparation. “Food samples have been sent to a laboratory for testing, and strict action will be taken against those responsible,” Rajkumar assured.
The education department has vowed to implement stricter monitoring processes to prevent such occurrences in the future. The mid-day meal program, a crucial initiative aimed at providing nutritional support to schoolchildren, has previously faced scrutiny over concerns related to food safety and hygiene in government schools.
In light of the incident, concerned parents and local residents have voiced apprehensions about the quality of food served in schools. Many parents are demanding routine quality checks and enhanced oversight to ensure students receive safe and nutritious meals.
Taking serious note of the situation, the district administration has instructed officials to strengthen monitoring mechanisms within the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme to prevent similar cases in the future.
Disclaimer: This article is based on available reports and official statements. Further developments may provide additional clarity on the incident. Readers are advised to stay updated with official announcements for the latest information.