Chennai
A senior official from the Directorate of School Education said Horticulture Department has tied up with the School Education Department to establish such gardens. During the first phase, about 50 schools would be selected in each district for the scheme. “Most of the schools will be at primary and middle levels. A few high schools will also be selected for the scheme,” he said.
He said the vegetables grown on the school terrace would be used in the school kitchen under the noon-meal scheme. “Children should consume vegetables and fruits every day,” he pointed out.
“We have identified government schools that have terrace with enough space to plant at least 20 vegetable varieties,” he said. Members of Self Help Groups (SHG) that are engaged with Horticulture Department would train students, who are members of Eco Clubs and National Green Corps. Stating that the list of vegetables for the roof garden was being prepared, the official said tomatoes, ladies finger, coriander, chillies, beans, pumpkin, beans and spinach would be in the list.
Explaining the green initiative, the official pointed out that malnutrition in children was common in the State and may result in both short and long-term, irreversible health outcomes, and added that setting up roof garden was an initiative to educate children about nutrition.
Children would also bring vegetable peels from home to mix in the compost bin. “This initiative will create interest among the students in gardening activities,” he said.
Seeds, manure and shovels will be supplied to the schools that has been identified to set up roof garden. “Officials from the Horticulture Department will regularly monitor the maintenance of the garden,” he said. Some of the students would be selected to be part of the coordinating team, which would report to the school management about the requirements, said the official.
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