Inspired by neighbouring Kerala’s initiative to ring reminder bell for students to sip water in class, the state (Tamil Nadu) government on Thursday announced to allot five to 10 minutes daily to encourage children to drink water in the class and remain hydrated.
This water breaks will be strictly enforced and the government will come out with a GO stipulating ‘water’ bell in schools, School education minister K. A. Sengottaiyan has said. The announcement, on Children’s Day, gladdened the hearts of parents and NGOs, as it has come as a huge relief since the children often return home with their water bottles half or nearly full of water.
Not just Tamil Nadu, even Karnataka government is planning to introduce water bell in schools at regular intervals. Kerala government announced to launch the initiative after doctors pointed out that the number of urinary infection cases were on the rise among children. Paediatricians recommend that students drink three to four litres water per day.
Read more of this in a report by J V Siva Prasanna Kumar published in Deccan Chronicle... (Link given below)
HRD Ministry must ask all states to follow this practice in all schools of the country. -Editor
