Malnourished students in municipal schools jump to 34 per cent in 3 yrs: Study
In 2015-16, the percentage of malnourished children in class I was as high as 43 per cent and 42 per cent for girls and boys respectively.
Mumbai: The health of students in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is a cause for concern. The percentage of malnourished students in municipal schools has increased from eight per cent to 34 per cent in the last three years.
According to Praja Foundation’s report on the status of malnutrition in municipal schools, the estimated number of malnourished children in BMC schools has grown from 30,461 (8 per cent of 4,04,251 total students) in 2013-14 to 1,30,680 (34 per cent of 3,83,485 total students) in 2015-16.
This is a huge rise of over four times in three years, despite the budget for mid-day meals for students from class I to class V increasing from Rs 29 crore to Rs 32 crore in the same period.
Similarly, the budget for mid-day meals for class VI to VIII increased from Rs 33 crore to Rs 39 crore.
The utilisation of the budget, however, has seen a sharp dip from 81 per cent to 65 per cent for class I to V. The corresponding figures for class VI to X are 83 per cent and 64 per cent.
The M/E ward, which comprises the areas of Govandi and Mankhurd, has the highest number (15,038) of malnourished children in BMC schools in 2015-16.
Other wards, which fare poorly are Santacruz (H/E), Kurla (L) and Chembur (M/W).
Among the children who are found to be malnourished, there is a significant gender disparity with girls suffering more than boys consistently over the years.
In 2015-16, 35 per cent (34,222) girls were found to be malnourished, as against 33 per cent (30,459) boys.
In 2015-16, the percentage of malnourished children in class I was as high as 43 per cent and 42 per cent for girls and boys respectively.