CNN news 2013-07-24 加文本

cnn news 2013-07-24

Time for school for these young students.In a ramshackle hut behind them a makeshift kitchen where lunch is beingcooked.

These kids really like the food. Theyalways say when I am not here they ate my food. Gita Devi said.

Here in Bihar in this poorest state, 95% ofthe free lunches served in government school come from individual kitchen likethis. Rices provided by the government. This school is also given a sypherd of5-8 cents per student for their remaining course. 12.5 million Children in some70,000 schools are fed across the state of Bihar every day in this way. Thefacilities are basic but Devi said quality is not compromised.

We are as hygienic as possible when weprepare the meals for these children. After all, we eat the same food, GitaDevi says.

For many of these children it's the bestpart of their day. I asked this boy what he loved about the school? The food, he says.

Most here come from impoverishedbackground. Books and uniforms are provided by the government. Food and lodgeare free. But the infrastructure is lacking.

It's about 40 degrees C or 100 Fahrenheitbut there is no fan here, no electricity, no tables or chairs, no playgroundand no bathroom.

It hasn't stopped school attendance fromincreasing though.

There is a 20% increase.

Attendance has risen by 10 to 20% becauseof the mid-day meal thing, this school teacher says. Getting more children togo to school has been the Indian government's priority and the impact is longterm.

There is a inter-sexually blends in peoplefrom all communities, all caste, this get-together, and they have meal at thesame place, the feeling of community and harmony and they are pushing theharmony at a very young age.

Officials admit the recent case st of masspoisoning in Dihar has undoubtedly had an impact on one of India's biggestsuccess ories. But the broader benefits of the world's largest school feedingprogram, they say, should not be questioned.