Ghaziabad, Dec 11 (ANI): Students in a Government-aided school in Uttar Pradesh are made to wash utensils that are used for cooking food under the Mid -Day meal scheme.
The Principal of a primary school here says that the scheme is compelled to use the services of its students to clean utensils, since it do not has staff to do the job.
“Only one or two children are used for washing utensils. We cannot cook in dirty utensils. We have to get the utensils washed,” said Anchal Singh, the principal of the school.
The students admitted that they washed the utensil for the lack of cleaning staff, but said they do it on their own without any pressure from the school authorities.
“The teacher tells us that the sweeper will do it when he comes, but we feel like doing so and we do it on our own,” said Priyanka, a student.
India runs a huge midday meal scheme for children, with 120 million signed up to receive one hot, nutritious meal free on every school day.
The government is already facing the ire of Non Government Organisations on the prevalence of child labour.
According to 2001 census, India has about 12 million child labourers despite several laws banning the practice. (ANI)