Pilot Success: Modern kitchens in Shaikpet and Mallapur residential schools set to serve hygienic meals to hundreds of students daily

Minister's Vision: Adluri Laxman Kumar criticizes prior neglect, pushes for corporate aid in building permanent structures

Phased Expansion: Plans to upgrade kitchens in government run residential schools and gurukuls, prioritizing permanent buildings initially

MAHESH AVADHUTHA  I hyderabad

In a bold move to safeguard the health of vulnerable students, the Telangana government is rolling out state-of-the-art kitchens in its residential schools. This initiative comes as a breath of fresh air amid recurring reports of food poisoning and unhygienic conditions that have plagued these institutions.

Starting with a pilot project in two Telangana Social Welfare Residential Schools—one in Shaikpet, Hyderabad, and the other in Mallapur, Dharmapuri constituency in Jagtial district—the renovations are nearing completion at a cost of Rs 25 lakh per hostel. The goal? To ensure clean, hygienic, and hassle-free meals for hundreds of students daily, rivaling the efficiency of top hotels and restaurants.

SC, ST, Minority, and Disabled Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar shared exclusive details with this publication, emphasizing the pilot's success and plans for phased expansion. "We've prioritized modernizing kitchens to match high-volume catering standards," Kumar explained. The upgraded facilities boast renovated halls with fresh tiles and flooring, plus mechanized wonders like Idli Makers, Chapati Makers, Sambar Makers, Rice Makers, large grinders, dual 10-burner gas stoves, and spacious vegetable storage rooms.

These tools are designed to whip up breakfast, lunch, and dinner for large groups without compromising on quality or safety. This overhaul couldn't come at a better time. Telangana has faced national scrutiny for lagging in school kitchen infrastructure, constructing only 58% of sanctioned kitchen-cum-stores under the PM Poshan Yojana, ranking lowest in India. 

Past incidents highlight the urgency: inspections of 129 government hostels revealed violations like unhygienic conditions and poor food quality, with guidance provided to rectify them. The state media previously spotlighted issues such as unclean water tanks and dining halls in welfare hostels, exacerbating health risks for students from marginalized communities. Even recent spot checks by top officials in districts like Rangareddy and Hyderabad underscore the government's push for accountability.

Balaswamy, Principal of the Shaikpet school (catering to grades 5 through Senior Intermediate), is thrilled. "We serve nearly 700 students daily. The new Roti Maker churns out 1,000 chapatis an hour—it's a game-changer for hygiene and ease," he said. Students and parents alike are buzzing about the sleek, modern setup.

Telangana has over 1,200 Gurukuls, residential institutions, and model schools, but more than 660 lack permanent buildings. Modern kitchens will prioritize those with stable structures, while rented premises await new constructions—possibly with CSR support from MNCs and corporates, as Laxman Kumar envisions.

The Minister didn't mince words on the previous BRS regime's priorities: "They built lavish Pragati Bhavan and MLA camps but ignored permanent buildings for poor children's schools." This critique aligns with broader welfare efforts, including replacing aluminum utensils with steel ones in hostels to boost safety, and addressing food quality lapses.

The Telangana Education Commission's statewide tour reinforced the need for upgraded facilities to prevent food poisoning outbreaks in residential and mid-day meal programs. With integrated residential schools on the horizon, these modern kitchens mark a pivotal step toward equitable, safe education. As Telangana ramps up nutritious meals in welfare hostels, this initiative promises a healthier future for its young scholars, turning grim headlines into stories of progress.