Kerala teachers feed plantation workers' children using free bus travel savings

Three government school teachers in Kerala are using their savings from a free travel scheme to provide meals for the children of plantation workers. Nimisha, Jayasree Devan and Shalu Paulose work at Ponmudi Government Upper Primary School in Thiruvananthapuram district. They saved money through the government's Priyadarshini free travel scheme after sponsors stopped supporting the school's evening meal programme due to financial trouble.

Official Response

Transport Minister C P John invited the teachers and students to his official residence on Saturday to honor them for their work. He called their efforts an inspiring example of social responsibility and compassion. The three teachers continue to use their own resources so the children and some family members do not go to bed hungry. The school started the evening meal programme three years ago because parents working in the hill station's plantation sector return home late after work. The Priyadarshini scheme lets women travel for free in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation ordinary buses. The teachers also asked the minister for an extra KSRTC bus service on the route during school hours, and he said he would consider the request.

Context

Public school meal programs in rural and plantation areas often rely on community support or outside sponsors to provide extra food beyond standard midday meals. Free public transport schemes for women in various states aim to help working-class families save money on daily commuting costs. Hill station plantation workers often face difficult economic conditions that affect their daily schedules and household budgets.