- In many schools, high, middle, as well as primary, there is a compound which is not used to the best advantage of the school at present. This may be utilised to the advantage of the teachers and the students alike in growing vegetable or some other crops such a maize, wheat, according to the suitability of the soil and the seasons. Where there is a hostel within the school compound, this can be done easily by the students living in the hostel in their spare hours and the produce should be enjoyed by them. Where there is no hostel, so the boys are sure to be interested in this form of activity and healthful physical culture who will be willing to work in the garden for some hours in the afternoon in a week. Some periods can also be provided for this work, particularly for classes IX and downwards, in the time-table of the school of this labour. Each High school usually has a chowkidar to watch the building in the night and he can easily look after the garden in the night even if there be no good fencing for the compound. In the middle and primary schools of course, there is no chowkidar but the compound is not big and it may not cost much to fence it in the rural.To fence it in the rural areas with the branches of trees which may be done by the students and the teachers and then vegetables may be grown suitable for the different seasons. If there be any profit from the sale proceeds of the produce which should be refunded into the school account.In some schools the practice of supplying mid-day meals is still continuing and in such schools the produce may be utilised for this purpose, and all the students of the school by turn should be required to work in the garden if the compound is big enough.It has been brought to the notice of the Provincial Government by the Government of India that in Ceylon every school is required to grow vegetables and mid-day meal to children is supplied out of it. The scheme is stated to be a great success in Ceylon. There do not appear to be any reason why it should not succeed in India if school authorities including Managing Committees and Headmasters will pay their fullest attention to it in the interest of their schools.A report as early as possible, as to how far the Scheme has proved to be practicable, be sent.(Letter No. 9341 dated 23rd December, 1944.)
