Ludhiana: The mid-day meal workers’ union has announced a one-day strike on Feb 12 in all govt schools across the country. The cooks and helpers of these government schools will also take part in the strike.However, school officials have been directed by the education department that during the absence of cooks/helpers and in case they participate in the upcoming strike, the mid-day meals of the students in the government schools should not be affected or disrupted in any way.If the helpers/cooks of government schools are not present on Feb 12, the schools will have to make necessary alternate arrangements for the students’ mid day meals preparation and the expenses for the day are going to be paid by the ‘cooking cast funds’ so that no student is left without meals. “The unions, workers, cooks and helpers for the mid-day meals might have their own reasons for the strike, but well-being of the students is the first priority of the education department. We will make all necessary arrangements for the mid-day meals of the students, so that no student misses the meals and their health is not affected in any way. The guidelines received by the schools will be followed up on the day of the strike and if there are any changes, we will update the authorities concerned,” said a principal from government senior secondary smart school in Ludhiana. Despite repeated calls, district education officer (DEO) Dimple Madaan was not available for any comments on the matter.
