Government extends distribution of eggs/bananas to children in pre-primary classes in government schools

Karnataka government extends egg and banana distribution to pre-primary students in government schools, benefiting over 1,98,270 children.

The Karnataka government has extended the distribution of eggs and bananas to children in pre-primary classes of government schools from the academic year 2025-26.

With this, a total of 1,98,270 pre-primary students in government schools across the State have become beneficiaries of the scheme. Children who do not consume eggs will be given two bananas every day, on all working days. Earlier, eggs and bananas were being provided to only students of class 1 to class 10 of government and aided schools.

The State government issued an order on June 5 to distribute eggs and bananas as supplementary nutrition to students in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation.

Till 2024-25, there were 2,619 pre-primary classes in government schools across the State. In view of the huge demand, they were started in 5,000 more government schools from this academic year at a cost of about ₹70 crore.

The State’s School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) has welcomed the government’s move to extend egg/banana distribution to pre-primary students. “Distribution of eggs/bananas is beneficial for the physical and mental development of young children,” said Umesh G. Gangavadi, president of the SDMC.

Last year, groundnut chikkis used to be given to children who did not eat eggs and bananas. However, the government stopped their distribution because the suppliers provided poor quality chikkis.

The State government has earmarked a total of ₹755.62 crore this year for the distribution of eggs/bananas to students from pre-primary classes to class 10. With this, 51,61,390 children — 40,47,461 in government schools and 11,13,929 government-aided schools, will be the beneficiaries of the scheme.